A major sea search operation for a 14-year-old boy who went missing off the coast of Pembrokeshire has been suspended after two days of intensive efforts. The search was called off on Monday evening after two of three people in difficulty managed to reach safety, but the teenager remained unaccounted for. According to one report, HM Coastguard indicated it would only resume operations if new information emerged.
The incident began at approximately 15:30 BST on Sunday when HM Coastguard received a report that three people were experiencing difficulty in the water at Marloes Sands beach. Two of the group managed to self-rescue and escape the water unaided, but the teenage boy disappeared. One account described the group as part of a family of four, though only three were reported to be in difficulty at the time of the initial alert.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued a warning to the public to avoid Marloes Sands because of the incident, according to reporting on the search operation.
Scale of the rescue effort
The search operation involved multiple agencies working in coordination across the Pembrokeshire coast. Broad Haven and Dale coastguard rescue teams responded immediately on Sunday afternoon and evening, supported by RNLI lifeboats from Angle, Tenby and St Davids, along with a local pilot boat. A coastguard helicopter and a HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft were deployed to the scene, and the Welsh Ambulance Service was also in attendance. According to one local report, search teams included the Area 13 drone unit, which provided aerial support during the operation. Residents in the nearby village of Dale reported hearing helicopters circling the area for three to four hours on Sunday evening as the search intensified.
Timeline of the search
The initial search effort began immediately after the Sunday afternoon alert. The operation was suspended at approximately 03:30 BST on Monday morning after several hours of continuous searching. Teams resumed the search later that morning, but the operation was ultimately called off in the evening. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that despite the extensive search effort, no sign of the missing person was found.
In a statement on social media, Angle Lifeboat RNLI said its crew had "worked tirelessly" for 22 hours at sea during the major, multi-agency search for the missing swimmer. The lifeboat service praised its personnel for showing
immense dedication over the past two daysand thanked the Milford Haven Coastguard for
their fantastic coordination and supportin what they described as a
lengthy and tiring incident.
What happens next
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has stated there are currently no plans to resume the search. However, according to one report, the search would only be reactivated if new information came to light that could assist in locating the missing teenager.
Angle Lifeboat RNLI concluded its statement by saying:
Our thoughts are with the swimmer's family and friends at this difficult time.
Key facts
- Three people got into difficulty in the water at Marloes Sands beach, Pembrokeshire, on Sunday at approximately 15:30 BST
- Two people self-rescued; a 14-year-old boy remained missing
- The search involved coastguard teams, RNLI lifeboats, a helicopter, a fixed wing aircraft, and the Welsh Ambulance Service
- The operation was suspended at 03:30 BST on Monday, resumed later that morning, and called off in the evening
- No sign of the missing person was found despite the extensive two-day search effort
