Weston RNLI volunteers launch to sixth call this year to Birnbeck Island

Too often those who cross to the island at low water find the tide comes in with great speed and cuts them off.

Many times the ferocious and dramatic tides of the Bristol Channel have put lives in danger. Indeed last year two people who got cut off and were clinging to the Pier Legs had only minutes to live before the lifeboat saved them. In the past a fisherman died because he did not anticipate the strength of the tide. His body was never found.

It has become normal practice that whenever anyone is seen crossing to the island the RNLI volunteers are summoned and have to go and bring the visitors back safely.

This happened again on Thursday when a couple were seen walking over to the island. It turned out that when they saw that the tide had cut them off, they did the sensible thing and waited to be rescued. This is the RNLI’s advice to anyone who is at risk there.

The D Class lifeboat Anna Stock was launched from its low water launch site and went round to the island where they saw the couple. A lifeboat crew member went to escort them into the lifeboat where they had survivor lifejackets fitted and were brought back to the lifeboat station.

Liam McDermott, RNLI Helm said: ‘We have launched to Birnbeck Island six times this year. Thankfully on Thursday the alarm was raised and we were able to bring this couple to safety.'

The picture show the couple on the Island walking towards the lifeboat. A video is available at https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/play/VNr6TnPU

For further information, please contact Weston-super-Mare RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Glyn Hayes on 01934 645555 or 07774 181418

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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