On the lookout for those in peril on the sea (From Western Telegraph)

On the lookout for those in peril on the sea

The staff at Coastguard control at Milford Haven are gearing up for a busy summer and hoping visitors to the area lend a hand by taking basic precautions.

Watch assistant, Angela Smith said: Some people only get to the coast for two weeks a year and just dont know about the dangers.

With a 300-mile section of coast to look after, the Milford Haven Coastguard has its work cut out. Its patch stretches from Llanstephan to Barmouth, taking in Tenby, the Milford Haven Waterway, Haverfordwest, St Brides Bay, Fishguard, Cardigan and Aberystwyth and everything in-between. The busy summer season plus the coming and going of tankers and ferries combine to make it a challenging area to watch over. Although there are many dangers on the coast, most can be avoided by following common-sense safety precautions.

Angela has many stories about people who set off to sea without taking basic steps to ensure their safety. A boating party of five who were rescued recently had set out without any lifejackets or safety equipment and just one oar. Another memorable call was from the owners of a motorised yacht whose engine had failed. They were unable to sail the vessel and had to be towed in to harbour.

The Coastguard control room at Milford Haven is essentially an information room and co-ordinates operations around the coast which often involve many different agencies. The majority of rescues involve either the voluntary lifeboat crews of the RNLI or the voluntary Coastguard Rescue Teams and often both working in tandem. Operations can also involve RAF helicopters from either Chivenor (in North Devon), or Valley (on Anglesey), the police, ambulance service, fire brigade and anti-pollution teams.

Leaflets giving safety advice on a broad range of coastal activities are available from the Coastguard headquarters at Gorsewood Drive, Milford Haven. Alternatively, phone 01646 690909 for safety advice.