Fireworks

Just a quick safety message regarding fireworks. Over the years we have received numerous 999 calls reporting that flares have been sighted. These then turn out to be fireworks which have been set off from the beach and blown over the sea before exploding.  This creates the effect of a distress flare thus triggering unnecessary 999 calls and subsequent deployment of resources.

This prevents us from attending other potential call outs.

So please, if you want to enjoy fireworks attend your local display or if you are going to hold a private display hold it away from the beach.

Early morning call out

At 08:30 this morning we were called out to assist the Ambulance Service to extract a critically ill male from the Sand Dunes on the West Shore Cycle path.

We arrived on scene and quickly established, after liaising with the on scene Paramedics, that the best method of extraction would be RAF Rescue 122 from RAF Valley.

Whilst waiting for the Helicopter, the Paramedics and a member of the team (who is also a Paramedic) helped stabilise the casualty who had lost a lot of blood.

RAF Rescue 122 arrived on scene at approximately 08:46 where the winchman was lowered down along with a stretcher. After assessing the casualty, the winchman, with our assistance, placed the casualty on the stretcher before winching him up into the helicopter.

The casualty was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor for treatment of his life threatening injuries.

Angel Bay rescue

We were called this evening to a male who had fallen on the Angel Bay Cliff path that leads to the beach.

We arrived on scene and quickly located the casualty, who was already being cared for by a Police officer. After conducting a dynamic risk assessment we decided the best method of rescue was by RAF Rescue 122 from RAF Valley as the fall had left him with potentially serious injuries.

While waiting for the helicopter the casualty's condition worsened so we provided First Aid until the helicopter was overhead and the winchman was lowered.

The winchman decided that the casualty needed to be extracted quickly so he was placed in a 'double strop' where the winchman and casualty ascend into the helicopter without the need for a stretcher, this is the quickest method.

The Casualty was then flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

Trafalgar Day 2013

We took part in this year's Trafalgar Day Parade on Llandundo Promenade at the Cenotaph. We were joined by our colleagues from the Isle of Man Coastguard and two members from the Rhyl Coastguard Team.

Take a look at the pictures page where images from this years Trafalgar Day Parade have been uploaded.

What Is Trafalgar Day?

Missing Jetskiers

At 18:43 this evening we were called to reports that two jetskiers were overdue and that the family on shore were concerned about them. We arrived at Conwy Beacons slipway to talk to the family when one of the jetskiers appears from the sand dunes. He had walked from his location on the sandbanks to tell the family tat they were unable to return to Conwy because of the sandbanks. But, because they were not from the area and had not prepared for the trip, they were unaware they could round the Fairway buoy and locate the channel back into Conwy.

The type of jetski involved

At 19:02 we received a second 999 call to report that a jetskier was alone with two jetskis on the far side of the West Shore Sandbanks. After speaking to the first informant it was established that her partner had gone out to him after seeing the stranded jetskis. He was told that the other jetskier had walked off the sandbanks to the Beacons in Conwy (Where he was met by one of the team). After locating the lone jetskier through binoculars we attempted to grab his attention by flashing two high powered search lights at him.

                                                                            Image: RNLI

Conwy lifeboat was then able to conduct a search of the sandbanks and deployed one crew member on foot to search the banks. The casualty was then located where the lifeboat crewman rode one of the jetskis alongside the casualty back to Conwy where they were checked if they needed medical assistance and given safety advice.

We then assisted the casualties to recover the jetskis and we both returned to our respective stations by 20:39

Two Girls rescued from sandbanks

Shortly after 17:00 this evening we were called to reports that two persons and a dog were cut off by the tide at Llandudno's West Shore Sandbanks. We arrived on scene and quickly identified the need for the assistance of Llandudno's RNLI Inshore Lifeboat. 

Whilst we waited for the launch of the ILB one team member made their way to the shoreline to try and gain the two's attention. 

The lifeboat arrived at the West Shore, but before it could be launched into the water the two girls had started to wade across the channel.

The lifeboat crew waded out to the two girls, 11 and 13, to bring them across safely before handing them over to us. After making sure no medical assistance was required we gave safety advice and returned to station.

These two girls had a very lucky escape so please, if visiting West Shore, stay away from the lower part of the beach.

Picture: Llandundo RNLI

Kite washed ashore

At 16:00 this afternoon we were paged to investigate a Kite surfer's kite which had washed ashore on the beach at Conwy Morfa. Conwy lifeboat as well as a passing RNLI All weather lifeboat joined in with the search.

After an extensive land and sea search the 'missing' kite surfer was found safe and well in the car park and a little angry with himself for losing a £500 kite.

We then told him, to his delight, that a member of public found the kite before we directed him down the beach to reunite kite with surfer and returned to station.

Injured Jetskier

At 14:12 this afternoon we were tasked to Colwyn Bay pier to reports of an injured Jetskier on the Beach.

After battling through Saturday afternoon traffic we arrived on scene at about 14:25 where a Welsh Ambulance Service Rapid Response Vehicle had been sent. The Paramedic was already treating the Casualty on the Beach.

After liaising with the Paramedic, he decided we were not needed and no further assistance was required. After making sure the Jetski was secure we left scene and returned to station at 14:34

Two shouts in one Day

At approximately 15:30 this afternoon we were called to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service with a walker who had fallen on the cycle path halfway between Deganwy and West Shore.

Due to the location of the casualty the ambulance could not reach the scene but we were able to, using our 4x4 vehicle.

The two Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedics as well as our team's own Paramedic treated the casualty for head injuries before we transported her to the waiting ambulance at Deganwy.

After being stood down from this incident we were tasked to Towyn (near Rhyl) to assist with a search after an empty rubber dinghy was found. 

We searched from Pensarn to Towyn, Rhyl Coastguard team searched from Rhyl to Towyn while both Rhyl Lifeboats searched the water from Pensarn to Rhyl. Rhyl Beach Lifeguards were also asked to remain vigilant. 

After an extensive search was carried out nothing was found and all involved were stood down.

Medical Emergency

At 14:35 this afternoon Holyhead Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting a flare sighting in the Rhos on Sea/Colwyn Bay area.


Holyhead Coastguard tasked Llandudno RNLI Inshore lifeboat, an RAF Sea king, Rescue 122 from RAF Valley and ourselves to the scene to locate the source of the sighting.
The Inshore Lifeboat launched from Colwyn Bay slipway and the crew soon located a small dinghy with one man on board suffering an Angina attack. The man had lost his relieving GTN Spray overboard.
He was immediately placed on the Lifeboat and was taken at full speed to shore. The Lifeboat landed ashore with the casualty at the same time Rescue 122 arrived on scene. The RAF winchman, who is a Paramedic, was landed and proceeded to stabilise the casualty. The Helicopter returned a short while later and landed on the beach to take the casualty on board and onto hospital.

Reports of Person in sea

At 19:00 Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of public reporting that a "person was in the sea off Llanddulas and waving for help."

Both us and the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat at Llandudno raced to the scene where our team looked for the casualty from shore and the Lifeboat launched to locate the casualty from the water.

Arriving on scene at 19:20 the Lifeboat found that the casualty was in fact a small dinghy containing two anglers enjoying an evenings fishing.

We spoke to the first informant and confirmed that the casualty was in fact the dinghy.

After confirming no more assistance was required we, along with the Lifeboat, returned to station.

Woman found on rock armour at Llanddulas

We received a call at approximately 16:00 this evening by two men who had found a female lying on the rock armour at Llanddulas.

We arrived on scene and decided the best and safest way to extricate her was to go by sea. At 16:15 we radioed Holyhead Coastguard to request the launch of Llandudno's RNLI Inshore lifeboat. The Lifeboat was taken by road to Colwyn Bay where it arrived on scene at about 16:35.

She was placed on a stretcher and taken to the lifeboat. A Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedic accompanied the casualty on the short journey to the Porth Eirias Slipway. The casualty was placed in a waiting ambulance and all were stood down and returned to our bases by 17:20.

                                                       Courtesy Llandudno Lifeboat

Sandbanks Rescues

At about 16:00 on the 19/07 we received reports that multiple persons were in danger of being cut off by the tide on the sandbanks on the West shore.

We arrived to find around 30 people on the sandbanks and were all in fact being cut off by the rapidly rising tide. We immediately donned the appropriate PPE (Lifejackets, Helmets).

We were informed by the Conwy County Borough Council Seaboard Inspector that he had already tried to warn people of the dangers but was ignored. We stood on the edge of the sandbanks on the 'beach side' and used whistles to attract attention. The People were peppered all along the sandbanks so this made it a bit more difficult to attract attention.

We managed to get everybody off safely with the last ones off getting slightly wet. We issued safety advice to all involved and let them on their way.

We were also called out this morning at 07:50 to a Female who had gone for a walk onto the sandbanks. By the time she got back, she was cut off completely. A member of the public signalled her to use the Liferaft moored on the sandbanks while they raised the alarm. The Llandudno RNLI Inshore lifeboat was launched and she was rescued from the sandbanks. She was a French visitor visiting Llandudno on a two day trip. We checked if she needed medical attention and advised her about the dangers before we were returned to station.



Jetskier in difficulty

At approximately 14:30 this afternoon, Holyhead Coastguard received a call from Penmaenmawr Sailing Club (Pictured) reporting that one of their safety boats had spotted a jet ski without its rider. Beaumaris lifeboat was immediately launched to help locate the missing casualty. We also mobilised to the scene to help in the search.

 

En route we received an update that the casualty had been found by Penmaenmawr Sailing club's safety boat and was taken to the slipway into a waiting Ambulance.

 

When we arrived the casualty was being treated in the back of the Ambulance. After determining that all other parties involved was safe, we returned to station. The casualty was conveyed to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor by the Ambulance.

BBC News

Daily Post

 

 

 

 

Three rescued from sanbanks

We were once again called out this evening to three teenagers who were cut of by the tide at West Shore. Shortly after 20:00 we received a 999 call reporting that three teenagers were making their way across the sanbanks towards the liferaft, despite the rapidly rising tide.

The RNLI Inshore lifeboat was launched at 20:20 but could not locate the trio. The Coastguard Team were able to spot the trio onshore due to their wet clothes.

The trio had managed to swim across the North Deep channel to safety. After confirming none of them needed medical attention, and giving them safety advice we, along with the lifeboat crew, were stood down at about 20:45.

We reiterate our last safety message. Please, if you're visiting the beach on the West Shore DO NOT walk out onto the lower part of the beach. The tide will rise quicker than you think.

Mud Rescue

At approximately 1600 this evening we were called to reports of a male stuck in mud in Conwy. The RNLI Conwy, Rhyl Coastguard, the Welsh Ambulance Service and ourselves were involved in the rescue. We were all stood down by 16:30.

Read the full story here:

Daily Post-Mud Rescue

BBC-Mud Rescue

 Photo by J B Photography

15 People rescued from sandbanks

At approximately 1640 this evening we received reports of a tent on the sandbanks on the west shore. We arrived to find that 11 people in 3 groups were walking on the sandbanks unknowingly being slowly cut off by the tide.

We carried out a thorough search for the tent and determined that the tent was in fact the second liferaft on the Conwy side of the sandbanks.

Two of the CROs (Coastguard Rescue Officers), kitted out in Lifejackets, made their way towards the sandbanks while another stayed behind to get an overview of the situation and to keep an eye on the tide.

The largest group, with 5 people, made their own way off but the other 2 groups carried on walking. The two CROs attracted the 2 groups attention by using whistles and hand signals, without having to go onto the sandbanks themselves, and managed to beckon them off.

After giving both groups safety advice the two CROs made their way back to the Coastguard vehicle. But the CRO who stayed behind spotted another group of people walking out onto the sandbanks, completely oblivious to the danger. She then contacted the CROs on the beach by radio to alert them of the pair walking out.

This time the beach crew had to make their way onto the sandbanks as the tide was coming in, and, due to a combination of checking the tide times and local knowledge, the CROs knew exactly how much time they had to get on and off the sandbanks ensuring they factored in a safe margin.

They blew their whistles and used hand signals but were unable to attract the pair's attention and they kept walking. Eventually the CROs got to the pair and told them to get off the sandbanks and were issued with safety advice after returning to shore. In all there were 15 people who could have been cut off by the tide.

If your going to go to the west shore, Please DO NOT walk out onto the lower part of the beach.

Rescue of Kayakers off Penrhyn Bay

At approximately 1935 yesterday evening we received a call from a member of the public that reported they could hear shouts for help from the water and that, upon further investigation, could see two kayakers in the water near the breakwater in Penrhyn Bay.

We were training on the Great Orme at the time of the call and two of the team members made their way to Penrhyn Bay. At the same time the Llandudno Inshore lifeboat was launched from the slipway at Llandudno and made their way to scene, with one of the crew wearing a helmet camera.

 

 

The Lifeboat arrived on scene and pulled the casualties out of the water. They were then taken to the shore where they were met by two of our team. We then gave them first aid and blankets and sat them in the Coastguard vehicle with the heaters on to warm them up while waiting for the Ambulance service to arrive. The Ambulance service determined one casualty required further treatment and took him to Glan Clwyd Hospital for treatment for Hypothermia.





Children cut off by tide

At 1615 this evening we were called to reports of children cut off by the tide on the Great Orme side of the Pier at Llandudno. We arrived to find the children were in fact cut off but were able to return to the steps safely and of their own accord. After leaving them in the care of two PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) we returned to station.

Rescue of injured walker

At 2100 tonight we were tasked by the ambulance service to help rescue a walker that had fallen between two rocks on the North Shore side of the Little Orme. We arrived and started to figure out the best way to transport the casualty to hospital. In the end the decision was made to winch the casualty out so Rescue Helicopter 122 from RAF Valley was dispatched.

As we waited for the helicopter to arive we made sure that the casualty was comfortable and ready to be winched. The Paramedics took care of her medical needs while we were making sure that the scene was safe and to lend a helping hand where needed. This included placing the casualty on a spinal board ready for winching.

The helicopter arrived at approximately 2130 and the RAF Medic was winched down to our location and prepared the casualty for winching. The Helicopter then lowered a stretcher down where we then proceded to place the casualty in the stretcher. After making sure the casualty was ready for winching the Helicopter came back around to extract the casualty. The casualty was then flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd for futher treatment. The Welsh Ambulance service, Community first responders and us were all on scene as well as the RAF Search and Rescue Helicopter.

Cliff Rescue Great Orme

At approximately 0900 on the 5th of February 2013 Holyhead Coastguard issued a full team call out to rescue a person found by SARDA Wales who were searching for 49 year old Stephen Masters from the Wirral.

We arrived on scene and set up our cliff rescue equipment after requesting support from Penmon Coastguard. Also En Route were Rescue 122 from RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Rescue 122 Arrived on scene and conducted a risk assesment. Based on this they winched the casualty up into the aircraft. This was the safest method of recovery.

The Casualty was winched into Search And Rescue Helicopter 122 and taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor but unfortunately he was deceased and was later named as Missing Wirral man, 49 year old Stephen Masters.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award

MEMBERS of a coastal rescue team have been honored by the Queen for their work.


The Llandudno team is part of the Coastguard Rescue Service which has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award.

It consists of teams of volunteers drawn from the local community, which are fully trained and equipped to carry out a range of search and rescue operations around the coast of the UK.

They can be called out by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) at any time of the day or night, in all weathers, to respond to and rescue those in trouble or missing or to participate in a multi-agency response to an emergency.

Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard, said: “I am delighted that the Coastguard Rescue Service has received this award which is a just reward and recognition for our volunteers rescue officers.”


Courtesy North Wales Weekly News

A brief history of Llandudno Coastguard

Llandudno is home to one of the longest-established coastguard teams in Britain. The team was initially tasked with operating a device to save lives from shipwrecks.

The origins of the Coastguard Rescue Service go back to the early 19th century when Captain George Mumby invented his line-throwing apparatus. There had been many shipwrecks where vessels were close to shore but cut off by raging seas, to rescuers’ frustration. Mumby’s device was a mortar which fired a special cannon ball with a short chain attachment and a coil of thin rope. Once fired, the shipwrecked sailors would grasp the rope, then haul a much thicker rope across from the rescuers. A breeches buoy, a sort of cradle, would then be hauled across and the mariners winched ashore (photo, right).

There had been much concern in Parliament about loss of life at sea at that time of sailing ships. In 1815 the House of Commons ordered that Mumby’s equipment should be placed at 45 sites with very bad wreck records, including the Great Orme. Later a more efficient rocket system was introduced and by 1881 there were 195 Life Saving Apparatus (LSA) teams along the coasts of England and Wales. Until the Second World War, the equipment was transported by a wagon drawn by two horses (photo, right).

On 5 November 1967 the Llandudno coastguard team made its first and only rescue by breeches buoy in the 152 years since it had been introduced, to remove a mystery woman from a ship hit by strong winds at Penmaenmawr (see Footnotes for details and photo). A similar fate befell MV Carrier in April 2012 at Llanddulas, but the breeches buoy had been withdrawn many years before and the sailors were removed by helicopter.

Llandudno’s coastguard team also manned two purpose-built lookouts on the Great Orme. One overlooked Llandudno Bay towards Rhyl. The other (pictured right) was above thegunnery school site, overlooking Conwy Bay to Anglesey. These lookouts were demolished after re-organisation and improved radio communications enabled shoreline mobile patrols to be carried out using Land Rovers.

The other important part of the team’s work is cliff rescue. The Great and Little Ormes, with their spectacular sea cliffs, are a magnet for young inexperienced climbers. There have been many rescues and fatalities over the years. The volunteer team, based in Trinity Avenue, is still often called to such incidents. It also rescues sheep stranded on cliff ledges.

With thanks to John Lawson-Reay, of the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay History Society

John Lawson-Reay of Llandudno recalls:

“The 1,000-ton German ship Rethi Muller, while waiting to load stone at the 187-metre-long quarry jetty at Penmaenmawr, was hit by 80kph (50mph) winds. At 10am the captain, Franz Hintz, reported that the pier wouldn’t hold the ship and shortly afterwards it broke free and sprung broadside to the sea. The snapping of the last of the lines caused the bo’sun to break a leg. The ship (pictured, right) dragged anchor towards the lee shore.

“An RAF rescue helicopter took the injured seaman off, at the height of the storm. The Llandudno Life Saving Apparatus team was called, led by Eric Williams, to put a rocket line aboard the ship. I was filming this for the BBC at the time.

“A woman was brought ashore on the breeches buoy and we were told that she was the captain’s wife. We never got a clear look at her. She seemed to be very shy. The German crew decided to stay with their ship, which was by now aground on the beach. Much later it transpired that the lady concerned was from Llandudno and had been ‘entertaining’ the crew!”