Burnham-on-Sea RNLI paged to assist distressed people
Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers were paged at 6.15pm this evening (Thursday 12 July) after Milford Haven Coastguard control received a report of two people apparently in difficulties after entering the water from Burnham beach.
Both lifeboats were immediately launched and conducted a search of the coastline, whilst the Burnham coastguard rescue team searched along the beach. Also involved in the search were local police, and a helicopter.
The search continued until soon after 7pm, just after high water, when coastguard control called off the fruitless search, deeming it a false alarm with good intent. The lifeboats were recovered by the shore team, and taken back to the Lifeboat station for wash-down before being made ready for service.
Helmsman Jason Coombes said; ‘We conducted a shoreline search from Burnham jetty to just past the Lower Lighthouse on Berrow beach. We also asked various swimmers but there was no sign of anybody in distress.’
Notes to editors
Images with this short release
File name: Swimmer_launch (RNLI/Adam Bradbury_Smith)
Burnham’s D class, Burnham Reach, just after launch
File name: Swimmer_recovery (RNLI/Mike Lang)
Recovering D class lifeboat Burnham Reach
Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:
A 7.5m Atlantic 75 named Staines Whitfield and a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.
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For more information about this release please telephone Mike Lang, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07889 815860 or email [email protected],
In the absence of the above, contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) Tel 07920 818 807, [email protected] , or Emma Haines Press Officer; 07786 668847 [email protected]RNLI online
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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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