'Toy boat' father and son rescued

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A father and his 10-year-old-son had to be rescued shortly after ignoring warnings and going out to sea in what coastguards describe as a "toy dinghy".

The holidaymakers got into trouble in rough conditions off Wiseman's Bridge, near Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire.

The man, who left the inflatable to retrieve a snapped paddle, was washed onto rocks while his son was thrown from the boat into the sea.

Coastguards urged people only to use such craft in flat calm conditions.

A spokesperson for Milford Haven Coastguard said the pair first attempted to put to sea in their small Marine Pro 33 upgraded inflatable dinghy on Monday.

"The family, on holiday from Cheshire, had attempted to launch the inflatable into heavy seas against local's warnings but the dinghy kept flipping over and the launch was aborted," they said.

They returned on Tuesday and entered the water around lunchtime.

Even when spoken to the enormity of their folly was not comprehended Milford Haven Coastguard

The spokesperson added: "[They] soon got into difficulties when one of the light alloy paddles snapped battling against the swell.

"The father jumped into the sea to retrieve the paddle but the dinghy was rapidly swept away from him further out to sea."

An off duty policeman, on holiday in the area, called coastguards.

"By this time the father had been swept, by the incoming tide, onto the rocks between Wisemans Bridge Beach and Amroth Beach", it was added.

"The child had come out of the boat and was struggling in the water."

A Tenby Coastguard team member waded chest high into the sea to the reach the boy and hoist him up onto the rocks with his father.

All three were then taken back to shore by Tenby's inshore lifeboat.

"Even when spoken to the enormity of their folly was not comprehended," said the spokesperson.

"Anyone using these inflatables should treat them as only toys and not for serious journeys.

"Always heed warnings on local weather and never attempt to launch such a flimsy boat in anything but flat calm conditions and then with someone holding onto it.

"These people owe their lives to eagle eyed members of the public and a coastguard."