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Two night-time shouts for Burnham-on-Sea RNLI Volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Shout one: The volunteers were paged at 00.45 am on Tuesday 16th after a yacht was reported to be in difficulties on the East side of Stert Island, opposite Burnham Jetty

Lifeboat 'Doris Day and Brian being recovered on 19th July

RNLI/David Whatley

Burnham-on-Sea R Lifeboat 'Doris Day and Brian being recovered on 19th July

Within minutes. the Burnham Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, was launched from Burnham slipway.

On reaching the casualty vessel, a lifeboat crew member was dispatched to the yacht. Once the persons on board were accounted for, with no injuries, it became obvious that the anchor was dragging, and there was difficulty in raising it due to the engine not functioning. The decision was taken to tow the yacht further away from danger, as the incoming tide and breaking waves were threatening to sweep the yacht into a more hazardous position.

The yacht was towed to the sailing club pontoons and handed over to the ever watchful Burnham Coastguard rescue team. The lifeboat volunteer crew was stood down and returned their lifeboat to Burnham Slipway for recovery and wash-down. After a debrief, the volunteers returned home to their beds at approximately 03.30 am

Lifeboat helmsman, Nathan, commented: "What a great team effort from our station, as ever, which is why we train so hard in order that when the pagers sound in the middle of the night we're able to assist. The crew on the lifeboat last night were an experienced group including those who sail out of Burnham, which made the tasking as a helm much easier."

Shout 2: Milford Haven Coastguard paged the Burnham crews at 00.47 am on Friday 19 July after they intercepted a Mayday call from a yacht. A Mayday call is always considered as an emergency.

Both lifeboats were quickly launched and proceeded towards the casualty, reported to be off Berrow beach. with the D Class lifeboat, Burnham Reach, arriving first. The two persons on board were removed to the D class and the yacht’s anchor dropped. The Atlanic 85 crew then came in to secure a tow line and prep the boat for a tow back out through the shallows towards Brean for deeper water..

The Atlantic 85 crew made way to entrance of the River Brue, where they changed to an alongside tow. The casualty was then towed to the safety of the Sailing club pontoons.

Once stood down, the crews returned to Burnham slipway for recovery and wash-down. All volunteers back in their beds by 05.00 am, and looking forwards to a day at work.’

Atlantic Helm Scott commented : ‘Not much natural light, the tide was flooding, on scene, with lots of current and some breaking waves onto Berrow flats sand bar. Tricky conditions with max depth out in the channel, around 4 meters

Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Press Officer Mike Lang added; ‘Our volunteers have had a busy week, as Wednesday evening was occupied by on shore training with a Coastguard Helicopter, and our Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard rescue teams. Our volunteer crews are always ready to respond 24/7.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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 2003.


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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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.