Eight people stuck on rocks rescued from rising tide
Coastguard rescue teams rushed to the aid of eight people caught on rocks and in a rising tide near a Cornwall beach today (29 August).
HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls from members of the public shortly before 4pm, reporting people waist deep in water on the rocks and unable to get to safety at Maenporth beach in Falmouth. Falmouth and Porthleven coastguard rescue teams, Falmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and senior coastal operations officer Matt Rogers were immediately sent to help.
They found an urgent situation, with the tide coming in, time running out and the lifeboat unable to get close enough with the rocks jutting into the water. A water rescue was the only solution – so Matt and a coastguard rescue officer carried out tethered swims to bring all eight people to safety.
Senior officer Matt Rogers said: “It shows how suddenly you can find yourself in quite serious danger on our coasts. Tides so often catch people out, an area that seems perfectly safe when the tide is out can very quickly be surrounded by, or deep in, water when the tide comes in.
“Fortunately our coastguard rescue teams were able to rescue the group of people off the rocks, as the lifeboat couldn’t get in close enough, and get everyone back to safety before anything tragic happened.
“We would advise everyone to check out our safety advice before visiting the coasts, and remember that, if you or anyone else gets into trouble at the coasts, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
HM Coastguard coastal safety advice:
🌊 Jumping from piers, rocks and heights into water can be very dangerous. There's a reason it's known as 'tombstoning'. Consider the risks to yourself and others. Young people could be watching and may attempt to mimic the activity. If you jump when you feel unsafe or pressured, you aren’t going to enjoy the experience.
🌊 Ensure that children are well supervised at the coast.
🌊 Make sure you check the weather and tides to check it is safe to head out, wear appropriate footwear and clothing for your activity, know the sea conditions and stick to coastal paths.
🌊 If you get caught in a strong current or rip current try to stay as calm as you can, raise your hand and shout for help. Hold on to your surf or body board if you have one. If you can’t get help, try and swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of trouble then swim to the shore. If you can stand up, wade instead of swimming.
🌊 Choose a lifeguarded beach and if you decide to go for a swim, always swim between the red and yellow flags.
🌊 If you find yourself being blown out to sea, or if you unexpectedly fall into the water, shout for help and wave your arms. Remember the RNLI advice to Float to Live.
🌊 Never use inflatables in the sea or rivers. They are best saved for use in swimming pools.
🌊 Carry a mobile phone so that you have a way of making contact in an emergency and make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Consider putting your phone in a waterproof pouch.
📞 As ever, our message is; keep safe, but if you see anybody in trouble or if you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls from members of the public shortly before 4pm, reporting people waist deep in water on the rocks and unable to get to safety at Maenporth beach in Falmouth. Falmouth and Porthleven coastguard rescue teams, Falmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and senior coastal operations officer Matt Rogers were immediately sent to help.
They found an urgent situation, with the tide coming in, time running out and the lifeboat unable to get close enough with the rocks jutting into the water. A water rescue was the only solution – so Matt and a coastguard rescue officer carried out tethered swims to bring all eight people to safety.
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| The rocks at Maenporth beach Credit: HM Coastguard |
Senior officer Matt Rogers said: “It shows how suddenly you can find yourself in quite serious danger on our coasts. Tides so often catch people out, an area that seems perfectly safe when the tide is out can very quickly be surrounded by, or deep in, water when the tide comes in.
“Fortunately our coastguard rescue teams were able to rescue the group of people off the rocks, as the lifeboat couldn’t get in close enough, and get everyone back to safety before anything tragic happened.
“We would advise everyone to check out our safety advice before visiting the coasts, and remember that, if you or anyone else gets into trouble at the coasts, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
HM Coastguard coastal safety advice:
🌊 Jumping from piers, rocks and heights into water can be very dangerous. There's a reason it's known as 'tombstoning'. Consider the risks to yourself and others. Young people could be watching and may attempt to mimic the activity. If you jump when you feel unsafe or pressured, you aren’t going to enjoy the experience.
🌊 Ensure that children are well supervised at the coast.
🌊 Make sure you check the weather and tides to check it is safe to head out, wear appropriate footwear and clothing for your activity, know the sea conditions and stick to coastal paths.
🌊 If you get caught in a strong current or rip current try to stay as calm as you can, raise your hand and shout for help. Hold on to your surf or body board if you have one. If you can’t get help, try and swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of trouble then swim to the shore. If you can stand up, wade instead of swimming.
🌊 Choose a lifeguarded beach and if you decide to go for a swim, always swim between the red and yellow flags.
🌊 If you find yourself being blown out to sea, or if you unexpectedly fall into the water, shout for help and wave your arms. Remember the RNLI advice to Float to Live.
🌊 Never use inflatables in the sea or rivers. They are best saved for use in swimming pools.
🌊 Carry a mobile phone so that you have a way of making contact in an emergency and make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Consider putting your phone in a waterproof pouch.
📞 As ever, our message is; keep safe, but if you see anybody in trouble or if you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
