Six children were rescued on Saturday after drifting out to sea on paddleboards at Traeth Lligwy, Anglesey.
RNLI station volunteers were tasked by H.M.Coastguard at 4:06 pm Saturday 30 July, to launch the all-weather lifeboat ‘Kiwi’ after reports that six children on two paddleboards were being blown offshore at Traeth Lligwy.
While the lifeboat was on the route, a small sailing dinghy had spotted that the children were in danger and quickly went to the aid of the children who were between nine and twelve years old.
The lone dinghy sailor was able to get the four younger children aboard the dinghy, but the two eldest children had to remain on the paddleboards, further exposing them to the elements.
As soon as the lifeboat arrived on scene, the six children were quickly transferred aboard the lifeboat so that the RNLI-trained casualty care crewmembers could assess them.
With medical concerns raised for one of the rescued children, a paramedic was requested to attend the boathouse. Continual medical assessment and care were given to all the children whilst the lifeboat was on route back to the boathouse.
Once back at the boathouse, a Doctor further assessed the children before being released back into the care of their waiting families.
In the meantime, Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) had located the parents on the beach, and they were kept updated with the plans to take all the children back to the boathouse in Moelfre as it was the safest way to get them to shore and allow sufficient time to monitor the children’s condition. Cemaes Bay Coastguard Search and Rescue and Moelfre CRT were able to relocate back to Moelfre and escort the parents to the boathouse.
RNLI Second Coxswain Martin Jones said: “Without the actions of the dinghy owner and swift response of the lifeboat crew, this shout could have had tragic consequences.
“The children were undoubtedly in grave danger of drowning, so I gave the mothers a very stern talking when they arrived at the boathouse. I reminded them that a responsible adult should always supervise the children, especially when going into the sea; also, I told them the importance of wearing lifejackets, saying they were left at home simply isn’t good enough.”
Photo: Moelfre CRT
