The event organised by just three RNLI volunteer crew to support Wales’s ‘Year of the Sea’ saw the town’s Cosy Corner, slipway and breakwater area full of various rescue organisations stands and equipment.

With brilliant weather the event which centred on Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat station attracted thousands of visitors to the area. Amongst those organisations supporting Rescue Fest 2018 were The Mumbles Tamar class RNLI Lifeboat, Coastguard Helicopter 187, Porthcawl and Llantwit Major Coastguard units, South Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, Welsh Ambulance Service HART Team, Welsh Urban Search & Rescue Team, Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, Surf Life Saving Wales, St John’s Ambulance, Porthcawl National Coastwatch, Porthcawl Sea Cadets, Margam Model Boat Club and Welsh Newfoundland Activity Group – Dog Rescue Demonstration.

The Wave radio station provided live coverage from Porthcawl during the day. RNLI displays were provided by both Porthcawl’s lifeboats and The Mumbles all weather lifeboat. There was water safety advice and free lifejacket checks offered too.

The event opened at 10:30 with a packed programme right through until after 16:00. Each Rescue service treating the visitors to the opportunity of watching many of the vital rescue methods used to help casualties who may be in distress either on land or sea.

Organisers Chris Page, Chris Missen and Sam Williams each crew members at Porthcawl, commented, ‘The event idea came to us earlier this year and following many hours of preparation we are delighted to see how successful the day went. Comments on Facebook have been very positive and we are aware already of a couple of our supporters, from London, Sunderland and Powys, saying they watched the event via our webcam.

Unfortunately the helicopter exercise was cancelled at the last minute as it had been tasked to an incident at the Gower.

We are so grateful to all those who gave their time to put on our Rescue Fest 2018 and to those to who helped by sponsoring us in different ways’.