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Burnham-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat volunteers paged for casualty on Burnham Beach

Lifeboats News Release

Shortly before 5PM this evening (15 July) Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Coastguard to reports of a person in danger, between Burnham’s Pavilion and beach Lighthouse, with a fast incoming tide.

Library image of Burnham's D class lifeboat 'Burnham Reach' post launch at Burnham-on-Sea

RNLI/Mike Lang

Library image of Burnham's D class lifeboat 'Burnham Reach' post launch at Burnham-on-Sea

Duty Launch Authority Phil Counsell immediately made the call to despatch our D-Class inshore Lifeboat ‘Burnham Reach’ on service, with volunteer crew members rapidly assembling at the station and launching successfully by 5:04pm in stormy conditions. Also tasked were BARB search and rescue, and the Burnham Coastguard coastal rescue team.

There is no time to be wasted in this circumstance, with the second highest tidal range in the world here on the Bristol Channel, combined with soft mud and sinking sand risks exposed at lower tide on the shoreline - every minute counts and crew members are only too familiar with the danger posed.

Making best speed to the area of the casualty’s sighting, the call came over the radio that all had hoped for- the potential casualty had been confirmed safe and well, ashore and now further up the beach.

Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Mike Lang says; ‘Apparently the casualty had become stuck in a stretch of mud opposite the Alandale Road entrance to the beach, with an incoming tide, .Not a pleasant experience’.

With this good outcome HM Coastguard stood down our assistance and the lifeboat made its way back to be recovered, and made ready for the next launch by the RNLI station volunteer shore crew.


END

Notes for Editors

Image with this short brief shows a library image of the Burnham D class lifeboat Burnham Reach post launch. File name: Burnham_reach (Credit RNLI/Mike Lang)


Please note: Press release jointly by Media manager Lyndon Bull and LPO Mike Lang



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 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003RNLI media contacts

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 Emma Haines Regional Media Officer [email protected] Mob: 07866 064437

Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) Tel: 07920 818 807, [email protected].

As a last resort, contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789



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.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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