Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers paged to investigate kayak/inflatable at Brean

The lifeboats were speedily launched, and the volunteer crews proceeded to Brean. On arrival, the crew of D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach, landed on the beach to question the first informant, regarding the description of the Kayak, and the approximate direction, when last seen. Apparently, the kayak had been observed previously with a crew of two, but was last seen drifting out at sea, apparently empty.

This information was passed to the Coastguard Control, plus the crew of Atlantic 85 Doris Day and Brian, the Kayak soon being intercepted. Not knowing whether or not there were missing occupants. Coastguard control initiated box pattern searches, by the lifeboats and a tasked rescue helicopter. This went on until the light started to fade, and the Coastguard stood the incident down, with lifeboats returning to Burnham at around 10.00 pm for recovery, sanitising, and refuelling. Also, a very muddy wash-down.

Lifeboat Helmsman Jason said; ‘When the kayak was intercepted, it was in apparently good condition, with no sandy footprints in the boat, and a folded lifejacket on board. We searched the area diligently and found nothing, although both lifeboat crews collected various inflatable beach toys, during the searches.’

Later that evening, this statement was issued by Avon and Somerset police:-

‘We're assisting the Coastguard with a precautionary search after an inflatable kayak was seen off the coast near Brean.

We'd ask anyone who used a yellow & grey kayak with 'Explorer' on the side today calls 101 (log 1104) to confirm they're safe so the search can be stood down.’

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Images with this release:

File name: Atlantic ready (RNLI /Mike Lang)

Lifeboat Doris Day and Brian ready to launch on Burnham jetty

File name: Atlantic launched (RNLI /Mike Lang)

Lifeboat Doris Day and Brian en route to Brean

File name: Atlantic returns (RNLI /Mike Lang)

Lifeboat Doris Day and Brian just after recovery

File name: Atlantic washdown (RNLI /Mike Lang)

Washing down the lifeboats and tractors at the lifeboat station

File name: Running to the jetty (RNLI /Mike Lang)

Two crewmen running to the jetty

RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea

A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15^th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.

Note During 2019 the RNLI was facing a ‘perfect storm’, with a reduced income and an increase in demand for it’s services. During 2020 and 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, fundraising has been severely reduced by a national lockdown, yet the lifeboats have still been launched 24/7 in their strategy to save lives at sea.

Click this link to donate; https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/summer-appeal

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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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