Research shows 15% of people have been cut off by the tide as spring tides coincide with Easter break

AS FAMILIES flock to the Welsh coast for the Easter school holidays, the RNLI has issued a stark warning following new research revealing widespread gaps in public understanding of tidal safety.

The joint survey by the RNLI and Bangor University found that around 15% of people in the UK and Ireland—equivalent to 10 million individuals—have either been cut off by the tide or had a near miss. Worryingly, many of these incidents involved people who had not intended to enter the water at all.

With spring tides forecast during the Easter break—when beaches are expected to be busy—the RNLI is urging extra caution. In Wales, being cut off by the tide accounts for almost 8% of all lifeboat launches over the last decade, more than double the UK average. On days with higher tides, areas not typically at risk can quickly become hazardous.

One of the worst-affected locations is Sully Island, where the RNLI is once again deploying volunteers to patrol the causeway during peak tidal periods. This initiative, launched last year, significantly reduced the number of people stranded by the tide. The RNLI is now appealing for more volunteers to support the project this season.

A key finding of the Bangor University survey was that 60% of those who had been cut off were shocked by the speed of the incoming tide.

The study also revealed that:

• Four in ten people have no basic understanding of how tides work.
• Only half of respondents said they check tide times before visiting the beach.
• Just 24% feel confident reading and interpreting a tide timetable.

To better understand these knowledge gaps, Bangor University’s Impact and Innovation Fund commissioned a multidisciplinary team—including a marine social scientist, an ocean scientist and a discourse analyst—to conduct a nationwide survey and interview tidal incident survivors. The findings will inform future public safety campaigns.

The RNLI recommends checking tide times using reliable online sources such as the Met Office before setting out, and reminds coastal visitors that tide times vary daily and by location.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, said: “The results of the survey are eye-opening and show that a large proportion of the public have gaps in tidal knowledge.

“We’ll be using these findings to shape future safety campaigns and educational efforts.

“With spring tides forecast, people may find themselves cut off faster than usual—sometimes in areas not normally at risk.

“It’s hard to imagine how a simple walk can turn dangerous so quickly. That’s why it’s vital to check tide times at the start of your day, watch for the tide turning, and always leave enough time to return safely.”

Dr Liz Morris-Webb, Honorary Research Fellow at Bangor University, added: “In my 25 years of coastal research, I’ve seen everyone from tourists to seasoned marine professionals caught out by tides.

“The stories shared by those we spoke to show how a relaxing day out can turn into a life-threatening situation.

“Thanks to those who contributed their experiences, we’re now in a stronger position to raise awareness and improve public safety messaging.”

The RNLI’s top tips for coastal safety this Easter:

• Check tide times before setting out. If you’re unsure, seek local advice.
• Choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
• If you get into trouble in the water, remember: Float to Live. Lean back, keep your mouth above water, and try to control your breathing. Use your hands to stay afloat.
• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

ASCONA GROUP have helped raise an incredible £67,814 in just over six months for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.

The company has teamed up with the award-winning UK fintech charity Pennies, which enables micro-donation opportunities at checkout, helping create huge impact for charities in need.

Customers are given the opportunity to donate to charity when paying by card or digital wallet which Ascona will be match funding.

Darren Briggs, founder and Chief Executive of Ascona Group said: “Wales Air Ambulance, is such a phenomenal service and our customers recognise that.

“They have been so generous at our tills, whenever they make a purchase, they are given the option of donating 30p to the Charity, which Ascona will match-fund.

“As you can see from the amount raised so far, they think a lot of the service.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

Darren said: “It means a lot on a personal level to be able to help support a Charity that helps save so many lives each year.

“One of my longest serving employees, needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance, and is thankfully still with us.”

He added: “As a helicopter pilot, I also understand the flying element to the service too, it’s unbelievable what they do under such pressure.

“There are so many things that must be considered even before take-off.

“There’s the logistics, navigating the terrain – some patients can be in hard to access areas, and most importantly providing critical care at the scene.”

Ascona Group has 62 forecourts across the UK and serves 300,000 customers a week. It dispenses 5.0 million litres of motor fuel per week – That’s an equivalent of 19 tankers per day.

Valero is a global fuels manufacturer and owns and operates Pembroke Refinery in West Wales. It has taken around 18 months for both companies to rollout the Pennies initiative.

Alison Cousins, Area Sales Manager for Valero Energy Ltd, said: “Valero is proud of our charitable partnership with the Wales Air Ambulance, and is pleased to have been able to support the rollout of Pennies charitable giving across Ascona sites.

“Wales Air Ambulance carry out inspirational, lifesaving work for those who need it most, and we are delighted today to help celebrate the public and Ascona’s generous donation efforts across the communities we are so fortunate to be a part of.”

Customers making a purchase at Ascona’s Valero branded forecourts will see messaging around the campaign on fuel pumps and at the counter.

Geoffrey Harding, Head of Fuel Strategy at Ascona Group, said: “If you pay using the card reader, you will have the option to donate 30p, which Ascona will match up to £100,000.

“For every donation we have seen so far, we have matched, when paid by card.

“We also have donation boxes at the checkout, for anyone paying with cash, who might wish to donate.

“It is totally the customer’s choice, the staff are fully trained to answer any questions the customer has and it’s just a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option on the card reader, if they wish to add a donation on to their transaction, they can with the added bonus that Ascona will match fund the donation.”

Pennies CEO, Alison Hutchinson CBE, added: “Pennies is proud to partner with Ascona, and congratulations to the team and customers for their amazing fundraising efforts.

“The generosity of Ascona customers and Ascona with their match funding has created tremendous impact for The Wales Air Ambulance.

“Thank you to the Ascona team and to all those customers who press ‘yes’ – your small acts of generosity make such a difference.”

Ascona and Valero’s Pennies’ campaign is raising around £1,200 per week on average. Since its launch in 2010, Pennies has facilitated over 255 million micro-donations, raising £62 million for more than 1,060 charities.

Phae Jones, Director of Income at Wales Air Ambulance said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to every customer who has donated over the past six months at Ascona sites.

“We are hugely grateful to Ascona for kindly match-funding all money raised to the value of £100,000. That is an incredibly generous amount, which will help save many lives and will be the company’s second £100,000 donation in the last two years.

“The Valero team are also hugely supportive of the work we do and have been fantastic during the rollout of the Pennies initiative.

“As a Charity, we must raise £11.2 million pounds each year, to keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.

“Partnerships like this are key to enabling us to keep doing what we do.”

A WOMAN rescued by Beaumaris RNLI last year has reunited with the volunteer crew who saved her, as she supports the charity’s Mayday campaign showing lifeboats in Wales launched over 1,043 times, saving 53 lives last year.

Across the UK and Ireland the charity’s lifeboats were launched over 9,100 times in 2024, making it the fourth-busiest year in the charity’s 201-year history. Welsh RNLI lifeboat stations’ total number of launches decreased from 2023, however the number of lives saved rose from 38 in 2023 to 53 in 2024.

Angle, The Mumbles and Tenby RNLI had the most launches. Out of the total 1,043 launches in Wales, 719 were by Inshore Rescue Boats and the further 324 were All-Weather Lifeboat launches. Over 96% of all lifeboat launches in Wales in 2024 were within 5 nautical miles of the Welsh coast, and the majority of these shouts were to people in difficulty in the water and to assist motorboats. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews spent over 1,500 hours at sea, giving up their time to help those in need.

Flint RNLI saved 5 lives last year with neighbouring station Rhyl RNLI launching 47 times and aiding 47 people. Llandudno and Conwy lifeboats launched a total of 66 times, saving 4 lives. On the Isle of Anglesey, Trearddur Bay, Moelfre, Holyhead and Beaumaris saved 8 lives, launching 213 times and aiding 127 people.

In Gwynedd RNLI lifeboats from Porthdinllaen, Abersoch, Pwllheli, Criccieth, Barmouth and Aberdovey launched 121 times, aiding 126 people and saving 2 lives. In Ceredigion, Borth, Aberystwyth, New Quay and Cardigan launched 99 times and aided 56 people.

In Pembrokeshire, Fishguard, St Davids, Little & Broad Haven, Angle and Tenby lifeboats saved 13 lives, launched 233 times and aided 152 people. At Burry Port Lifeboat Station, the boats launched 39 times, aiding 26 people. In Swansea, Horton & Port Eynon and The Mumbles launched a combined 104 times, aiding 119 people with The Mumbles RNLI saving a life.

Port Talbot RNLI launched 25 times and aided 17 people. In Porthcawl the volunteer crew saved an incredible 16 lives, launched 71 times and aided 91 people. In the Vale of Glamorgan, Barry Dock and Penarth Lifeboat Stations launched 80 times, aided 77 people and saved 3 lives. 

Beaumaris RNLI launched 45 times last year, aiding 27 people and saving 3 lives. Emily Morus-Jones, was one of those rescued by the Beaumaris RNLI volunteers in September last year, she says:

‘The Beaumaris RNLI crew members took really good care of me when I broke my knee whilst cooling down from a run with my dogs on the beach.

It was early afternoon on Monday 2 September when Emily was on the beach in the Manai Strait area of Bangor near the Faenol Estate.

‘I skidded on some seaweed hitting rocks and then fell awkwardly onto my knee. I felt immediate pain and all I could do was scream. I started worrying about how and if I’d be located, knowing the tide was coming in.

‘I know the area well, when the tide comes in there’s no beach. It’s also very fast-moving water with multiple rip currents. My initial thought was I could try and drag myself the way I came, but I tried to move and there was absolutely no way – it was just agony. I was also in shock, I knew then I was in a very serious situation.

‘Thank god I had my phone and was able to call for help. When the RNLI lifeboat arrived I remember thinking; “It’s pretty good that if you’re freezing cold and in agony on the side of a beach by yourself, that volunteers will turn up in a lifeboat and take you to safety.”

‘I’m so glad the RNLI is a thing we all have because the alternative of being alone, injured and with no chance of anyone coming to save you is utterly terrifying.

‘It was really special to reunite with the crew who saved me so I could express my gratitude in person. I encourage that people support the Mayday campaign, so that these lifesavers can keep doing what they do best.’

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, and urging the public to get involved with its biggest national fundraising event, the Mayday Mile.

Participants are challenged to cover a mile a day for the month of May, with every penny raised helping to make sure that the charity’s lifesavers have everything they need to keep people safe this summer and beyond. Running a 24/7 lifesaving service is expensive and costs are rising – in 2023, it cost over £190M to run the RNLI.

Gwen Beeken, Beaumaris RNLI volunteer crew, says: ‘Usually we are heading out to respond to Mayday calls, but now we’re the ones asking for help. Thousands of people get into danger on and around the water each year and need our help, but everything we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.’

Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.

Gwen added: ‘It’s clear from these new figures that demand for our services remains high, with our lifesavers dropping everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes. We’re now heading towards our busiest time of year, so we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today, and allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’

Emily says: ‘I’m so grateful to all the RNLI volunteers who helped rescue and look after me that day. They made sure to get me out of the cold, they kept me warm and dry and as comfortable as possible whilst maintaining a cheerful demeanour to help me distract me from the pain.

‘It’s been about 6 months since my injury and my rehabilitation has been going well. If you’re looking for a way to support this special charity and their lifesaving work, why not sign up for their Mayday Mile or donate.’

To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday