A five-year-old boy tragically died on Saturday after being swept out to sea from Saundersfoot beach in a toy inflatable dinghy.
Little Ryan Ingram, of Kington, Herefordshire, was holidaying in Saundersfoot with his family when the offshore winds and ebb tide started carrying him and the inflatable away from the shore at 11.40 am.
His father attempted to reach the dinghy, but, not being a strong swimmer himself, was unable to do so.
Instead, he returned to the shore to get assistance and asked a nearby father and daughter, who were preparing to put to sea in their sailing dinghy, to go to the youngster's aid while he raised the alarm.
Milford Haven Coastguard were alerted and tasked Tenby Coastguard and South Pembs. sector manager Dave Miller to the scene.
The SAR helicopter from RAF Chivenor was also scrambled and Tenby's inshore lifeboat was called out.
The police and the Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter were also on site and an all stations call was sent out to vessels in the area.
Tenby's main lifeboat, the RFA Sir Galahad, was also made ready to launch, but was not required as, on arrival off Saundersfoot, the ILB found that the youngster had been plucked from the sea some 200 yards from the shore by the father and daughter in their dinghy.
It is believed that the toddler may have jumped into the water to try and reach his father, but this is still being investigated by the police.
The boy was transferred from the sailing dinghy to the ILB and, while helmsman Lewis Creese headed directly towards the beach, ILB crewmen Ben James and Robert James started CPR on the youngster.
On arrival, they were met by Mike Day, of Tenby Coastguard, who continued with CPR until Tenby doctor, Iwan Griffiths - who had heard the alert while out pleasure boating and had headed for the beach - ambulance paramedic Mike Tebbutt and Dr. David Hurle, of Saundersfoot, arrived and took over.
The youngster was flown to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, by the Search and Rescue helicopter, but tragically was pronounced dead on arrival.
HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Mr. Michael Howells, has been informed and an inquest was formally opened and adjourned at Milford Haven on Tuesday.
"Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of this little boy following this tragic accident," said sector officer Mr. Miller.
"However, this once again highlights the dangers as to how quickly you can be swept out to sea in an inflatable.
"Personally I would like to see their use in open water banned. However, I appreciate that many people get enjoyment from using these types of inflatables and as such I would urge them to be used with the utmost caution.
"The only truly safe way for them to be used is for them to have a line attached and to make sure the line is attached to an adult or preferably pegged to the shore."