Burnham-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat crews paged at 7.22 pm
Lifeboat volunteers were paged at 7.22 pm this evening, 22 January, after a report of somebody in the water adjacent to Burnham’s Lower Light (Burnham’s iconic lighthouse)
Both the Atlantic 75 and D class lifeboats were quickly brought to the beach and launched. As it was the time of high water, sea state at launch was lumpy, but comparatively smooth after launch, with good visibility. Air temperature was around 7 degrees centigrade
The volunteer crews searched diligently along the coast with no success, until being stood down by Milford Haven Coastguard control at 9.05pm.
Both boats were recovered and taken back to the lifeboat station for wash-down by the boat and shore crews, then refuelled ready for the next launch.
Coastguard control have deemed the incident; ‘A false alarm with good intent.’
A spokesman for the station said; ‘Some of the crew were settling down to a late tea, and will be returning home to warmed up half-eaten leftovers.’
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Image with this release. (Credit Mike Lang/RNLI)
The Atlantic 75 on its way to the jetty (Library photo)
Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:
A 7.5m Atlantic 75 from the RNLI relief fleet 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],
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Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South)
Tel 07920 818 807, [email protected] , or Emma Haines Press Officer; 07786 668847 [email protected]
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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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