As lockdown requirements for the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic start to change, lifeguard patrols at beaches in Bridgend County Borough are set to resume.
The seasonal beach lifeguarding service has already started at Rest Bay to coincide with the recent reopening of the public car park. It is set to begin at Coney Beach and Sandy Bay on 4 July, and will be available at Trecco Bay from the same date subject to the latest Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.
A dedicated team of National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) volunteers will also be helping keep people safe. Based at Porthcawl Harbour, the volunteers monitor all vessel movements in the Bristol Channel, and will be working closely with the council and the RNLI to look after local beaches.
To support them in doing this, the council has installed two state-of-the-art cameras to help the NCI spot anyone in distress at sea or along the water’s edge, making it easier and faster to report incidents to the coastguard and emergency services.
The RNLI patrols are jointly funded by Bridgend County Borough Council, Porthcawl Town Council and Parkdean Resorts, with the RNLI covering additional costs through their national and local fundraising activity. Council staff will also provide further beach patrol duties and put suitable measures in place.
The Leader, Cllr Huw David, said: “Since Wales went into lockdown, Bridgend County Borough Council and the RNLI have kept in close contact to discuss how the coastline in Porthcawl can be patrolled and protected for the rest of the summer season.
“I am pleased to confirm that this approach and commitment towards partnership working has delivered another positive outcome for the area.
“Seeing RNLI lifeguards at the beach is always a reassuring sight, and I am sure that people will welcome and appreciate these efforts to help keep them safe while visiting Porthcawl’s beaches.”