No let up for Burnham on Crouch RNLI over Bank Holiday weekend.

It turned out to be a busy Bank Holiday weekend for the volunteers of Burnham on Crouch RNLI when at 12.32pm on Sunday 25 August and whilst making final preparations for their Blessing Service later in the day, they were tasked by HM Coastguard to assist a motor boat with five people on board that had lost power at the mouth of the River Crouch.

The Atlantic class Tony and Robert Britt was launched and initially took the vessel under tow back towards Burnham on Crouch. During the tow however, the casualty was able to restore power and the tow was discontinued. The lifeboat crew monitored the progress of the motor boat back to Burnham Yacht Harbour where she arrived safely.

The following message was later received from the casualty 'We sustained total power failure on our fishing boat and called the Coastguard. In no time these guys turned up to assist, they were polite, helpful and ready for business. My kids were delighted and relieved to see them alongside. The RNLI crew were fully kitted out in the boiling heat and it really made us all feel grateful for the job they do. Great crew, thank you very much.'

All the volunteers were grateful to receive this message and were only too pleased to assist.

Upon their return to the lifeboat station at around 2.30pm the Atlantic was made ready by the volunteer shore crew.

Later in the afternoon many of the volunteers made their way to the quayside where the station chaplain, Cannon Lionel Webber led the annual Blessing Service. It was a lovely occasion well attended by the local community.

Coincidentally, next month will mark the 50^th anniversary of Lionel joining the Port Talbot Lifeboat crew and his association with the RNLI.

Bank Holiday Monday produced a “double shout” for Burnham on Crouch RNLI when they were tasked by HM Coastguard at 5.32pm with immediate readiness. The Atlantic class Tony and Robert Britt was launched and following a further task from HM Coastguard a few minutes later, the D class was also launched.

The Atlantic was originally tasked to a vessel that had sustained engine failure at Brandy Hole with four people onboard, however as the Atlantic was leaving Burnham on Crouch marina they were diverted to a day cruiser that had sustained electrical failure at Branklet Bouy close to the mouth of the River Crouch. A tow line was attached and the casualty was safely towed into Essex Marina.

The D class attended the original casualty at Brandy Hole where they took it under tow also into Essex Marina.

Both lifeboats then returned to the station where they were prepared and made ready for service by the volunteer shore crew.

RNLI Media contacts

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.