Burnham-on-Sea RNLI paged for disabled speedboat

Burnham’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Doris Day and Brian was launched within 15 minutes and the crew proceeded to the casualty area, 1000 metres South of Brean Down, and around 100 metres out from the beach.

Once the casualty craft was reached, it was noticeable that the large expanse of mud and the deeper draught of the lifeboat would have rendered recovery at Brean difficult. The decision was therefore taken to launch the Burnham-on-Sea D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach, which because of its shallow draught, might aid smooth recovery,

Unfortunately, on the D class lifeboat’s arrival at the scene, the speedboat (A dory type around 11 feet long, with outboard motor) was hard aground, and recovery at that time, impossible, it being almost low water. Therefore, the decision was taken to return to Burnham-on-Sea, and relaunch at 6.30 pm on the incoming tide. Consequently, two of the lifeboat crew aided the remaining dory crew passage through the mud, and prepared for the return to Burnham, and a very muddy washdown

The Burnham-on-Sea crews relaunched lifeboats at 6.30 pm, and proceeded to Brean where they were able to recover the casualty, and bring the boat back to Burnham-on-Sea, where the owner was able to take possession. Both lifeboats were recovered and taken to the lifeboat station for the second wash-down of the day.

It was of course a long day for our crews on one of the hottest days of the year, and our shore crew team were really grateful for donation of ice creams from the ice cream van, on Burnham beach. Additionally, Keith and Marcia of Brit chips had sent across some cold drinks which were also most welcome.

This was the station’s second shout since their regular Sunday training session. They had also been called out on Sunday afternoon to assist in the search for a missing child at Brean, but the search had been cancelled before the launching trailer reached the water

Atlantic Helm Ashley Chappel said; ‘When we arrived, there were a couple of crew in the dory, and one in the water trying to unsuccessfully repair a steering fault. By that time, recovery proved to be impossible, so we resolved to return when the water was higher on the next tide.’

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Images with this release:

File name: D_Class_to_assist (RNLI/Mike Lang)

Burnham-on-Sea D class lifeboat Burnham Reach on it’s way down Burnham Jetty

File name: Dory_recovered (RNLI/Mike Lang)

Burnham-on-Sea crew members assist in recovery of the casualty to the beach

File name: muddy_james (RNLI/Paul Preston)

We had a very muddy boat crew on return from the first launch. Here is James, with the muddy towline.

Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:

A 7.5m Atlantic 75 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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