Two weeks to the day after completing the London Marathon in 4:25:04 Porthcawl RNLI volunteer helm Nathan Evans (Nevs) was involved in saving the lives of two people cut off by the tide trapped beneath cliffs near West Farm, Southerndown on Sunday 11 May. The casualties had made a 999 call to the Coastguard asking for help.

Chris Missen, helm of the charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires said: ‘the casualties weren’t local to the area and were unsure of their precise location. We had to get there quickly in order to locate them as it was a spring tide which was coming in rapidly. Thankfully we located them shortly after beginning our search from Ogmore deeps and put two crew ashore to assist them.’

Nathan Evans, helm of the D Class lifeboat Hugo Missen said: ‘we arrived on scene shortly after and I assessed the situation and made the decision that the safest way for us to rescue the casualties was using a manoeuvre known as veering. This involves slowly letting out line on the anchor, approaching the rocks beneath the cliffs astern (backwards). I managed to manoeuvre the lifeboat alongside a small ledge from which the casualties could safely step aboard.’

The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world and it’s easy to become cut off if you’re not familiar with the area. If you’re visiting the coast check conditions and tide times before you go using a trusted online source like the Met Office. Always carry a means to call for help such as a mobile phone. In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.