UK Coastguard tasked our volunteer crew to two stand up paddleboarders some distance off shore.

Having entered the water at Rest Bay the two paddleboarders were being swept out by the wind and tide. The charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Irene Cornford was launched on service locating the paddleboarders approximately 1 nautical mile south west of Sker Point.

Initially the paddleboarders refused the crew’s offer of assistance and the lifeboat stood by whilst they attempted to make their way back towards shore.

After around 10 minutes it became obvious to them they would not get back to the beach at Rest Bay due to the speed of the outgoing tide and assuming they made it ashore it would be a considerable distance down the coast. As a result they accepted the offer of assistance and were dropped back at Rest Bay.

In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

The health crisis has hit our income hard. Lockdown halted the fundraising events we rely on to power our lifesaving service. Support our volunteer crew by donating to: Porthcawl RNLI Lifesavers’ Fund 2021.