THERE was a double whammy of rescues for the Coastguard team of Barry Island last Sunday night. At around 9.30pm they were called to assist Penarth Coastguard, following a report of a person falling on the cliffs in Penarth.

A joint search was conducted along the Esplanade and cliff top walk, with the police, fire service and Penarth Lifeboat crew. Nothing was found after a thorough search, and the report was put down as a false alarm.

The team returned to Barry Island, made ready their equipment, and went home.

Their rest was brief however, as they were again summoned to the local headquarters at Redbrink Crescent at 2.30am, following a report of a boat aground just outside the harbour entrance, near Bendricks Rock.

Barry Dock Lifeboat was launched and stood by the vessel until it could be refloated. The Lifeboat boarding boat is similar to an inshore lifeboat, and it too was launched to assist due to the very shallow water.

The Coastguard team were stationed onshore until the vessel was refloated at 6am, when the team returned to their base and went home.

With all the lovely weather attracting thousands of visitors to the coast, the public are reminded to call 999 and ask for Coastguard for all coastal emergencies.