BARRY people are being warned not to risk their lives in their water – after one of the busiest weekends on record for the local Coastguards and RNLI lifeboat crew.

Coastguards reported seven incidents between Friday, June 25 and Monday, June 28 – with four incidents on Sunday alone.

On Friday evening the lifeboat was launched and a rescue helicopter from Chivenor was called, after two teenagers got into trouble while jumping off the South Cardinal Buoy (known as ‘The Crowie’ or ‘Crows Nest’) at Cold Knap point.

One of the youngsters got into difficulties and was rescued by his friend. They reached the shore, but the first youngster injured his shoulder and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

His friend was suffering from hypothermia and a neck injury. He was placed on a spinal stretcher and airlifted to hospital in Cardiff by helicopter.

Barry Dock Lifeboat spokesman Gerry Adams said: "When the boarding boat arrived on the scene with volunteers Dean Caldwell and Dave Brookes, it was like the incident last year when they were able to resuscitate one youngster from the brink of death.

"This time the boys were able to reach the rocks, but needed expert treatment.

"It could have easily ended in disaster, had it not been for the early reporting of the incident."

Then on Monday at 7.15pm, three teenage girls were rescued from Whitmore Bay, after a member of the public spotted them in difficulty in the water.

With the recent good weather, local residents and visitors have been enjoying the coast – but lifesavers say people are dicing with death by taking inflatables out to sea or testing their swimming abilities in an area with strong currents and the second highest tidal fall in the world.

Mr Adams said: "We advise people not to take inflatables out in strong winds, any offshore winds, ebbing tides or choppy conditions.

"If the beaches are patrolled by lifeguards then use the inflatables between the red and yellow patrol flags."

The other weekend call-outs:

* On Saturday evening an inflatable dinghy with one person on board was reported in trouble off Jacksons Bay. Barry Dock Lifeboat was launched, and the owner was given advice when he arrived back on shore.

* On Sunday afternoon, Coastguards were called to Jacksons Bay to help the Ambulance Service with a 13-year-old girl who had suffered a seizure in the water. Her mother had pulled her to safety and Coastguards took her by stretcher to the Yacht Club and waited for the ambulance.

* Sunday evening saw a triple call-out. The first was to a dinghy at Bendricks Rocks – a member of the public was concerned for their safety, but when the Lifeboat arrived, the fisherman aboard were in no trouble.

* As the Lifeboat entered Barry Dock they were re-tasked to take over a tow from Atlantic College Lifeboat, of a vessel that had suffered mechanical failure off Nash Point whilst out fishing. The boat was towed into Barry Dock.

* A further call came in reporting a distraught woman at Friar's Point, so the Coastguard team were deployed. Barry Dock Lifeboat launched again as a precaution. Police later confirmed that a 38-year-old woman from Barry Island had been arrested and cautioned following the incident.

For all coast emergencies, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.