'You can't cure stupid' as Anglesey beach dressing down for pair who ignored safety advice
"You can't sure stupid" was one person's reaction after a pair received a dressing down on an Anglesey beach. Moelfre Lifeboat said a team member offered advice to people entering the water at Benllech on a paddleboard and a kayak in unfavourable conditions.
They said the pair "dismissed" the advice on Tuesday despite wind speeds of up to 30 knots at the beach. They had no safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or means of calling for help.
It wasn't long before they regretted their decision as both came off their small craft in the water around 200 metres off the beach. Onlookers - including the RNLI member - saw they were in trouble and raised the alert and this saw the immediate launch of Moelfre's inshore lifeboat at around 11am.
A "Good Samaritan" on the beach also went to their aid.
Moelfre RNLI said: "The initial 999 call was made to the Coastguard via Moelfre Lifeboat Operations Manager, who was walking his dog on the beach and witnessed the two people get into difficulties when they came off their paddleboard and Kayak. Further 999 calls were received by the CG from other concerned onlookers. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
"With a Casualty-Care training course running on station, the crew were able to launch the ILB and be on the water within 5 minutes of the tasking. The weather was a fresh off-shore westerly wind at 25-30knts. While en route, it was reported that a third person had entered the water (a Good Samaritan on the beach) who waded out to assist, putting themselves at risk in the process.
"As the inshore lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew spotted all three people leaving the water and heading up the beach. They were followed and spoke to by our ILB crew, who gave strong words of safety advice.
"None of them were wearing any form of safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or had means of calling for help. The Good Samaritan was lucky in this instance, as the people in difficulty weren't too far out and they were able to assist without putting themselves in too much danger."
Full-time Coxswain and Helm for this rescue, Vince Jones said: 'Our operations manager tried to advise the water users of the unfavourable conditions before even entering the water, but he was dismissed by the two people. They will have quickly realised how important his words of advice could have been.
"They were fortunate the bystander went to their aid before they were blown too far offshore; however, we strongly advise against putting yourself in a position of danger to go to the aid of others. Call for help at the earliest opportunity, give directions or location advice to the coastguard and stay safe at all times.
"The ILB scanned the beach for others at risk, gave some water safety advice, including the importance of wearing safety equipment and the need to be aware of weather conditions, and returned to the station for the crew to continue with their casualty care course."
On social media people were fuming at the actions of the pair. One person on Facebook said: "Well done guys, people should listen to your advice as you know what you are talking about. To go out without buoyancy aids or means of communication is just madness. Hopefully a good lesson learnt. Thanks for being there to advise and rescue us."
Another added: "Well done all. It must be so infuriating for you when people ignore your advice and then add insult to injury by needing to be rescued. You can't cure stupid! Thank you."
Others mentioned that this was not a one-off, saying: "I've seen so many in the sea on paddleboards without life jackets on, some have young children on the board with them. It's absolutely crazy to be so unaware of the dangers." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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