As children have now started the summer holidays, Swansea Council is urging families to take care near water.

Drowning is one of the main causes of death among young people and Swansea’s Water Safety team joined forces with other local emergency services yesterday to highlight World Drowning Day, a global effort to raise the profile of the issue and what people can do to look after themselves near and in water.

Robert Francis-Davies said Swansea Council works closely with the RNLI which this summer will be providing lifeguards on beaches at at Caswell, Langland/Rotherslade, Three Cliffs and Port Eynon/Horton. But he said everyone has to play their part to stay safe.

Waterways such as the Tawe and marina areas in the city centre have rescue aids prominently on display in busy areas.

But Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said families and young adults – especially any who’ve been drinking – need to stay safe.

“World Drowning Day was the first event of its kind to draw attention to the issue. Few of us can imagine the trauma of losing a loved one to drowning. We’re hoping that by lighting up Guildhall blue on Monday (25^th), people will take notice, take action to find out more about staying safe which will help prevent accidents or loss of life in the water.

“We encourage people thinking of a trip to the beach to always visit one where there’s a lifeguard. Anyone heading into the water should always respect the water and swim between the red and yellow flags. If you are planning to go into the water, please don’t drink.”

He added: “RNLI lifeguards are fully trained in all aspects of beach safety so anyone with any queries should always approach a lifeguard, who will be more than willing to help or offer advice.”

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: ‘The beaches we manage are among the most scenic in the UK and regularly attract many thousands of visitors throughout the year.

“During the warmer summer months thousands of people visit our beaches, particularly this summer thanks to the extended period of warm weather and sunshine.

“That’s why we have worked in close partnership with expert lifeguards at the Royal National Lifeguard Institution for a number of years to ensure our beaches are covered at the busiest time.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

Lifeguards at Aberavon beach have helped to reunite missing Blue the budgie with its owner, four days after going missing.

Lifeguards have described this as “a different type of rescue” to what they are used to.

After a group of school children noticed a budgie on the beach, Aberavon beach lifeguard supervisor, Sophie Phillips collected the bird and made sure it was kept safe.

After appealing to local vets as well as on Facebook, Blue’s owner finally spotted the lifeguard team’s post after the bird went missing on the previous Sunday.

Blue’s home was nearly nine miles to where he was found and thanks to the help of the RNLI lifeguards and a drink of water, Blue was fine and back with its owner in the space of a few hours after being found at the beach.

After Blue was collected, Sophie said: “The last thing I expected to see was a budgie on the beach and we were so glad we were able to help reunite the bird with its owner”.

Blue’s owner has made a charitable donation to the RNLI.

(Lead image: RNLI)

Sixteen stand up paddle boarders in danger of being blown out into the Irish Sea were rescued by St Davids RNLI Tamar class lifeboat off Ramsey island on Saturday (9 July).

Milford Haven Coastguard issued to call for help at 3.15pm on Saturday after a report from local vessel, Gower Ranger.

The visiting group had paddled out from Porthclais harbour earlier in the day but got into difficulty off the south west corner of Ramsey island.

A local rigid-hull inflatable boat, owned by an off duty volunteer lifeboat crew member who was in the area, successfully assisted them into a sheltered part of Ramsey island, standing by until the St Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley arrived.

This was St David’s lifeboat coxwain, Will Chant’s first shout at the helm since taking on the permanent role just two days before on the 7 July.

Once on scene, the crew took all 16 casualties and equipment onboard before returning them to Porthclais harbour where the volunteer crew were assisted by St Davids Coastguard rescue team.

Will Chant, RNLI coxswain for St David’s RNLI lifeboat, said: “Fortunately all sixteen casualties were unharmed and in good spirits, and I thank the crew of the Gower Ranger and our off duty crew member Martin Charlton for his assistance.

“Although the conditions were calm within the shelter of the bay, the strong offshore wind was taking the SUP boards out to sea. Another half an hour and the group would likely have been in serious difficulty.

“We would urge all SUP boarders to check local weather conditions and tides before setting off to sea, wear a suitable personal flotation device and ensure you have a means of calling for help.”

(Lead image: RNLI/Nigel Millard)