SAFETY warnings have been issued by the RNLI and Penarth Coastguard over the tides off Sully Island.

The message comes on the back of two recent incidents which saw people having to be rescued after being cut off on the island.

The RNLI charity, in partnership with other organisations, is undertaking a range of initiatives to increase knowledge about dangers at Sully Island.

It has been more than a year since a traffic lights system was installed in Sully to give the public a tide warning system and tide times.

Penarth Coastguard and RNLI attended when ten people were cut off on Sunday, July 26, but fortunately the people had turned around and gone back to the island when they saw the causeway was closing.

The rescue teams were also called to one adult and two children who were cut off on Tuesday, July 28, but they had not tried to cross the causeway and waited for a lifeboat to arrive.

But despite the positive outcome in these cases, the dangers of getting stuck on the causeway remain a key concern.

Nicola Davies, RNLI community incident reduction manager, highlighted that the tide at Sully Island can move very quickly and can catch people unaware.

The causeway to the island is open three hours before low water to three hours after it – on the Barry tide times.

She said: "We ask people going to Sully Island to always check the tidal sign located on the wall heading down to the causeway to check when it is safe to cross.

"If it is green it is safe to go and the sign will tell people how long they can safely stay on the island.

"If it shows amber then you must be cautious as the tide is heading back in, if the sign is showing red our advice is never to go to the island as there is a real risk of being cut off."

If anyone does get stuck on the island the advice is not to try and wade ashore, which is a dangerous thing to do as people can easily be swept away by the currents.

Nicola said they should stay on the island and dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Penarth Coastguard echoed these sentiments saying that people need to understand that due to the Bristol Channel having the second highest tidal range in the world, locations such as Sully Island are greatly affected by the speed and height of the water as the tide comes in and out.

Spokesman Gemma Sawyer said: "In a matter of minutes it can render the causeway unsafe and dangerous. Visitors need to use the electronic signage. This will give them the information to enable them to make a decision to cross or not. If in doubt, do not cross."