Improving Public Safety
The installation of the AXIS Q1775-E Fixed Network Camera, a robust and high-performance device designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions
About RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Porthcawl, Wales, operates as a critical safety and rescue service in a region known for its extreme tidal conditions. With the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world and tides reaching speeds of up to 7 knots, Porthcawl is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the UK. The area also attracts a significant number of tourists, many of whom are unfamiliar with the hazards posed by the sea, necessitating proactive measures to ensure visitor safety.
Services used:
Remote Monitoring
Specialist CCTV
Work Safety
Industry: Tourism
Location: Porthcawl, Wales
Client since:
The Obstacle
Porthcawl’s RNLI station faced a dual challenge: protecting the safety of visitors and enhancing the efficiency of life-saving operations. With adverse weather conditions and inexperienced tourists, the station encountered frequent lifeboat callouts—73 in one year alone—resulting in high operational costs and risks to crew and public safety. The RNLI sought a solution that would educate visitors on the risks of the sea, provide real-time weather and tide information, and improve operational efficiency during rescue missions.
The Solution
PC1, in partnership with Axis Communications, implemented a comprehensive surveillance and monitoring system at Porthcawl’s RNLI station. This included the installation of the AXIS Q1775-E Fixed Network Camera, a robust and high-performance device designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. The camera was integrated with a state-of-the-art weather station, providing real-time data on sea and weather conditions. The system was connected to a public livestream, accessible online, allowing visitors to view current seafront conditions before planning their trips.
The AXIS Q1775-E camera’s 10x optical zoom, autofocus, and 24/7 weather-resistant operation ensures high-quality images in all conditions. This solution supported the RNLI’s objectives of educating visitors, enabling quicker responses to incidents, and equipping lifeboat crews with critical pre-launch data.
The Results
The implementation delivered significant safety and cost-saving benefits for the RNLI Porthcawl station:
- Enhanced Visitor Safety: The public livestream educates visitors on sea conditions, discouraging risky behaviour during adverse weather and reducing the frequency of lifeboat callouts.
- Operational Efficiency: Real-time weather and tide data allows lifeboat crews to prepare effectively before launches, saving crucial time and improving mission outcomes.
- Cost Savings: With a single lifeboat launch costing at least £2,000, reducing unnecessary launches by just two covered the entire installation cost, yielding long-term financial benefits.
- Community Impact: The system empowered local residents and visitors to report potential incidents, accelerating response times and increasing overall safety.
By combining cutting-edge technology with PC1’s expertise, the RNLI Porthcawl station now operates more efficiently, while ensuring the safety of both visitors and its dedicated crews.
"Tourism is a huge pull to the area. Not only do we see a huge number of people visit during the summer months, but we also have a large number of swimmers in the area, often without a marker float behind them. One of the fantastic things about this camera is the extra education it can provide – it helps people stay safer in the water, which means the lifeboats aren’t called out."
Ian StroudRetired Deputy Launch Authority at Porthcawl RNLI