British Broadcasting Corporation

Page last updated at 09:01 GMT, Saturday, 11 July 2009 10:01 UK

RNLI begins lifeguarding beaches

Ceredigion lifeguards
The lifeguards will be on duty for eight hours per day over the peak summer weeks

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is launching a lifeguard service on eight beaches in Ceredigion.

The charity now has volunteers at Tresaith, Llangrannog, Clarach, New Quay Harbour, Borth, Aberporth and Aberystwyth North and South.

The RNLI has taken over responsibility for lifeguard cover from Ceredigion council, which is funding the service.

A total of 26 lifeguards will be on duty from 1000-1800 BST on the eight beaches during the peak summer weeks.

The charity started patrolling beaches in Pembrokeshire last year, and will now take on Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Ceredigion.

More than 100 lifeguards are now employed by the RNLI to cover 28 beaches along Wales' coastline.

Patrols at beaches in Swansea and Cefn Sidan in Carmarthenshire started in May.

The lifeguards will be funded by councils, while training and equipment will be supplied by the RNLI.

As well as rescuing those in trouble, the lifeguards will provide first aid and beach safety information, and advice on potential hazards between 1000 and 1800 BST.

'Flags'

The RNLI's Ceredigion supervisor Elin Jones said: "The RNLI already has lifeboat stations throughout Ceredigion, and the lifeguards' skills will complement those of the volunteer lifeboat crews, providing an integrated rescue service from the beach to the open sea.

"Despite the professional service, beach and water users must still be vigilant.

"Most of the lifeguards' work is preventative, so individuals should listen to their advice and always swim on a life-guarded beach between the red and yellow flags."

The RNLI is taking over lifeguard services from local authorities across the UK. It already protects more than 100 beaches.



Print Sponsor


SEE ALSO
RNLI beach safety scheme extended
21 Jun 09 |  Mid Wales
New beach scheme for RNLI guards
23 Jun 08 |  South West Wales
Busy summer for RNLI volunteers
30 Oct 07 |  England
Beach peril 'greater than sharks'
25 Jul 06 |  Wales

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Unmanned drones to fight Somalia's elusive pirates
Can Taliban fighters be persuaded to switch sides?
Leaders try to build on the Franco-German bond

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific