Efforts to find a 14-year-old girl last seen "in difficulty" in the sea are now focusing on the shoreline at low tide.
Rescue crews started looking for the unnamed teenager after she was reported to be struggling in the water at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island.
It is believed she may have been in trouble up to an hour before the first emergency call was made at about 3.45pm on Sunday.
"We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search," Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea, said.
"If you see someone in difficulty in the water, you should call 999 and ask for the coastguard immediately. Any delay means vital search and rescue time is lost."
Three lifeboats, a police helicopter and an RAF search and rescue helicopter joined the search for the youngster, who is believed to have been on holiday in the area.
The beach at Whitmore Bay Beaches between Porthkerry, Barry and Sully Island were expected to be searched this afternoon.
"We don't believe she was that far out in the water," Mr Jones said. "We're going on the assumption that she has not come out of the water.
"If she is still in the water, as the time passes by, our concerns grow even deeper."
Police are also investigating the possibility the girl may have gone missing after making it back to dry land, and they have been checking the address where she was staying and speaking to friends who were in the water with her.
The missing girl is 5ft 7ins, of average build and with long black hair, and was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress.
Local councillor Steffan Wiliam said the coastline around Barry Island was "generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards", although he added: "You always have to be sensible on the beaches here."
Whitmore Bay is part of an enclosed stretch of coastline although the tidal range - the difference between high and low tide - is one of the highest in the world.
Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, said the beach was "relatively busy" on the hottest day of the year so far, despite many families and tourists deciding to stay indoors to watch Andy Murray's match at Wimbledon.
Sue Voss, of Pencoedtre, Barry, said locals were aware of how treacherous the tides can be.
She said: "We are all hoping that she is found safe. So terrible for the family."
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