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12-year-olds trapped by tide at Barry Island's Old Harbour

Learn about the dangers, warn coastguards after children wait an hour to call for help

The got cut off by the tides near the abandoned furnaces, known as the Kilns.

TWO children cut off by the tide at The Old Harbour in Barry Island had to be taken to safety by Barry Coastguard team.  

Six 12-year-olds had been walking around the ancient port on Saturday and did not notice the incoming tide.  

They got stuck near the abandoned furnaces, known as the Kilns. Four of the children managed to climb the rocks to safety, but two remained stuck.  

After waiting an hour, the children called the police at 4.15pm, who contacted RNLI Barry Dock lifeboat, South Wales Fire Service, Barry Coastguard and Penarth Coastguard. 

  • Photo Credit: Chris Fletcher
  • Photo Credit: Chris Fletcher

Barry Coastguard team showed up within 10 minutes. 

Chris Fletcher, station officer at Barry Coastguard, said: “We assisted them to safety, then had a chat with the children while we were waiting for their parents. 

“We explained that if it should happen again, they can call 999 and ask for a coastguard straightaway, as we are an emergency service.” 

This is the first incident of the year involving an issue with the tides, but it is not unusual for the area. 

Barry Island has the second highest tidal range in the world, reaching up to 15 metres. 

Liam Kinson, 21, who used to live in Barry Island, said: “The tides were a nightmare when I was younger – they rushed in out of nowhere.  

“The sand in the Old Harbour is like quicksand and you can get stuck really easily – I’ve lost roughly four pairs of shoes trying to reach some of the boats down there.”  

“The sands in the old docks acts like quicksand so you can get stuck really easily – I’ve lost roughly four pairs of shoes trying to get to some of the boats down there.”   – Liam Kinson, 21.

He said there were lots of areas in Barry that are dangerous because of the tides. 

“In Jackson’s Bay, there’s a rock that you can climb onto and when the tide comes in, you can get cut off completely,” he said. 

“I’ve been stuck for a couple hours on it when I was eight or nine because at that age you don’t know how deep the water is. 

“I had to wait until the tide slowed down a little and then try to run to safety.” 

There was only one sign in the Old Harbour area, warning of the tides, on the complete opposite side to where the children got stuck.

There are no warning signs near the Kilns in the Old Harbour, where the two 12-year-olds got stuck. There are some on the opposite side of the Old Harbour, but they do not include tide times. 

Mr Kinson said he doesn’t remember there ever being clear warning signs about tide times or whether he was taught in school about coastal dangers.  

Coastguard Mr Fletcher said: “Beaches always have signs saying about the area and how to contact the Coastguard if needed with a grid reference. 

  • “Beaches always have coastal signs saying about the area and how to contact the Coastguard if needed with a grid reference.” – Chris Fletcher
  • “We explained that if it should happen again, they can call 999 and ask for a coastguard straightaway, as we are an emergency service.”  – Chris Fletcher

“But you could have the biggest sign in the world, and people still might walk past it – people definitely need to be more aware of the dangers in coastal areas.” 

High tide at Old Harbour in Barry Island.

A spokesperson for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Barry said: “The RNLI Visitor Centre is a hands on, interactive water safety education centre for visitors of all ages to Barry Island.   

“We also invite school children for organised visits and educate them in local beach and water safety.” 

  • You can check the timings of the tides in Barry Island here. 

The highest tide this month is on Thursday, March 12 when it will reach 12.84 metres high at 8.36am.