TWO men are lucky to be alive after not only blocking the launch of a lifeboat called to rescue them but dismissing the help of its crew.

The jet-skiers from Worcester were spotted at around 3.15pm on Sunday afternoon (April 2) stuck on the Bedwin Sands off Caldicot by a police helicopter.

The coastguard were alerted and, in turn, SARA were called in from its Beachley headquarters.

“Launching the lifeboats was difficult,” said Mervyn Fleming, SARA’s area commander, “as one of the jet-skiers had obstructed the boathouse with his car and trailer, preventing us from getting the lifeboats out.

“There was a delay to the launch while crew removed the trailer.”

By the time the SARA lifeboats Jim Hewitt and Swift and Bold travelled 14km down the coast to them, the tide had fallen to such a level that one of the rescue crew had to swim to the sand-bar and then walk over a kilometre to reach the stranded men.

Commander Fleming said: “The tidal currents in the estuary are ferocious, particularly when the tide is flooding back in – much faster than most other places in the world.

“The lifeboat crew advised the stranded men, one of whom had suffered a minor head injury when his jet-ski had suddenly run aground at an estimated 60 miles-an-hour, of the dangers and advised that they should leave their jet-skis and board the lifeboats.

“The recommendation was made in the full knowledge that their lives were at risk as soon as the waters returned or if they attempted to walk ashore through the mud-banks that border the estuary. The men, however, refused the advice and chose to remain.

“After checking that they had water and food and were in no imminent danger, the lifeboats had no option but to return to base, refuel and to plan a rescue later in the day.

“There was a long wait for the return of sufficient water to recover the men and their craft by which time the sun had set, making the relocation more difficult.”

It was nearly 7.30pm when SARA 3 Swift and Bold returned to find the men still high-and-dry and watching as the rising tide engulfed them.

SARA volunteers escorted them back to the lifeboat station at Beachley where they were safely brought ashore just before 9pm.

“The Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world creating fierce currents and whirlpools when in full flow.

“The sands, quick-sands and mud are notorious for claiming lives,” added Commander Fleming.

“The very presence of a rescue station should stand as sufficient warning that this is not a safe place to play.

“Unfortunately there will always be people who don’t have a clue and people who won’t take advice.”

For more information about SARA see www.sara-rescue.org.uk