Port Talbot Coastguard

Click for Latest Coastguard News
Centenary 1908 - 2008

On Latest News

Missing Child 1st July 2009 Tasked after a number of reports of a missing 7 year old last seen in the water on the small side of Aberavon Beach. Coastguards searched the north pier while lifeguards searched the beach. The inshore lifeboat and rescue helicopter 169 were also tasked. The child was later found after a report off a ex-coastguard saying there was a child who had buried himself up to his neck in the sand and had gone to sleep. The youngster was oblivious to the search that was on going for him. After he was safely returned to his fanatic mother all units returned to station.

Search of sea front

Reports of shouting June 23th
Tasked at 23:30 to a report of shouts from the sea. Search carried out of sea front where with the help of a Paraflare it was discovered a couple where shouting but not in distress. Crew stood down.

Vessel on rocks June 13th
Tasked at 18:23 to a small fishing vessel "Cheeky Monkey" with 3 pob which had broken down and ran ashore on the rocks of the main breakwater. Lifeboat recovered all 3 from the water,they were taken to the aberavon surf club to await medical atenstion. They later left for home shaken but otherwise fine.The vessel started immediately breaking up on the incoming tide.

June 8th Bomb

June 8th Ordanace Aberavon Beach
Coastguard crew assisted Royal logistic Corps Bomb Disposal and Police who disposed of a high explosive shell and mortar

May 31st Missing Child
Coastguard crew carried out a search for a missing 3 year old child with Aberavon lifeguards. The Lifeguards where also dealing with a young child who was suffering from a fit at the time the missing child was reported and while that incident was being dealt with the crew, who where on a local patrol at the time took details and a short while later located the child safe and well. This was the 3ed incident of the day.

May 31st Jet Ski Broken Down
Lifeboat towed Jet Ski back to shore after it had broken down off Aberavon Beach.Coastguard team tasked to take details.

May 31st Vessel Broken Down
Lifeboat towed vessel in to the river afan after it had broken down off Aberavon Beach.Coastguard team tasked to take details.

May 11th Anglers cut off by tide
Two anglers who got the tides wrong were rescued by lifeboat and taken to the coastguard station for treatment to minor cuts.

April 18th Congratulations
Congratulations To Adam and Tracy who where married on the 18th of April we wish them both every happiness together.

April 2nd Medi Vac
23:00 Second medi vac in an hour Male fallen over while walking his dog braking his right ankle and suffering shock. First aid administered and assistance given to paramedics.

April 2nd Medi Vac
Member of the crew taken to hospital as a precaution after being knocked over in the surf while on training exercise.

March 31st Hoax
Reported by a 12 year old male that he had seen a person jump off the north pier swim to the middle of the small side of aberavon beach shouting help and then disappeared from sight. Port Talbot Coastguard crew searched beach for signs of anyone leaving the water, while other crew members carried out a search of the river Afan and north pier. Port Talbots new inshore lifeboat was requested and a search of the area undertaken. Rescue helicopter 169 also attended to carry out a night vision search. More information received to confirm the call had been a hoax Mrcc Swansea then passed details on to the police.

March 24th Medi Vac
Male fallen over his dog assistance given to ambulance service.

21st March 2008 Investigation
Suspicious object investigated confirmed it to be a log.

17th March 2008 Investigation
Suspicious object investigated confirmed it to be a rusted gas cylinder.

15th March 2009 Person in water
09:15 Tasked to male washed off north pier aberavon.Police and Ambulance in attendance.

9th March 2009 Missing Person
Tasked to back up Porthcawl coastguard for missing person all units stood down information received she had been located inland by the police.

3ed March 2009 Despondent
Tasked to search for a missing female.Search of seafront and all local car parks undertaken,Lifeboat searching offshore,Porthcawl coastguard paged for back up all units stood down later in to the search when information received she had been located inland by the police.

20th Feb 2009 Vessel Distress
Tasked to take details of the vessel "Stingray" lost in fog off Port Talbot. The lifeboat was launched and after some difficulty in locating the vessel it was eventually escorted to safety.

11th/12th Feb 2009 Air Crash
kenfig 5

Tasked to collision between two planes over the Kenfig nature reserve. Which resulted in the sad loss of 4 lives including two teenagers. Teams from both Gower and Cardiff sector assisted over the two days. our thoughts are with the family's and friends at this sad time.

3ed Feb 2009 Snow assistance

Tasked to assist transporting medical staff to hospital due to heavy snow storms across south Wales

22nd Jan 2009 Injured male
Tasked to a male with injuries in the sand dunes area of aberavon beach.MRCC Swansea who were in contact with the casualty via his mobile phone conned the crew on to his location by listening to the two tones on the MRU (Mobile Rescue Unit) he was suffering with a suspected broken left leg and right hip and was in a very cold state.First aid was administrated and the casualty covered with blankets until Paramedics were brought to the scene to assist. Due to mental health issues a helicopter was ruled out so the casualty was carried on a stretcher over the dunes to the MRU then transported to a land ambulance.

Centenary year 2008
Centenary year end on 51 incidents

For 2007 Aberavon Whale Photos Click Here

Casualty Assessment from 1st Jan 2008

Casualty Assessment from 1st Jan 2008 - Jan 1st 2009.

Person in water 6
Missing person/child 15
Bridge 4
Vessel 7
Aircraft 1
Vehicle on Beach 1
Medi vac 9
Hoax Good int 2
Animal /Mammal 5
Children playing chicken 1
Total 51

Casualty Assessment 2000 - Jan 1st 2009

Vessels 59
Hoax inc good intent 41
Person in Water/despondent 119
Missing Child 32
Body Recovery 6
Medi Vac 27
Animal /Mammal 13
Air Bed 3
Jet Ski 6
Vehicle on Beach 9
Pollution 3
Cut off by tide 6
Canoeist 4
Children playing chicken 4
Ordnance 3
Other inc aircraft 9
Total 344

Click here for video on coastguard teams assisting in the floods 2007

Online Emergency TV and News TV from the USA click here

Aberavon Surf Life Saving Club
Beach Web Cam Click for Bigger Image

Click Flag to visit Site

Should you need to contact the MCA at any time
the MCA's Infoline is available 24 hours a day on: Tel: 0870 6006505 or write to:
MCA Infoline, Tutt Head, Mumbles, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA3 4HW.
Click Image for more

Or to write to us Maritime & Coastguard Agency, PO Box 55, Port Talbot SA12 6WQ.
To e-mail see contact links above
Home Private Archive History Awards