Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers train with the local gig club.

Both Burnham lifeboats were launched at the usual time, and the Gig club boats launched with the station dummy (Dead Fred) on board. One purpose of the exercise being to practice man overboard drills, both from the lifeboats and the two fully manned rowing gigs. Some discussion on towing arrangements was also researched

Burnham Training Co-ordinater/Helm Nathan said; ‘The gig club members practised exercising and recovering with dead Fred as a Man Over Board and unconscious casualty. They then called us in for the mock exercise of an unconscious MOB and we trained / exercised together after that. The lifeboat crews supported and worked on casualty transfer to boats as well as suggestions on recovery (For gigs) of dead Fred from the water. Both boats practised towing the gigs in case of future need. It was a useful exercise for the RNLI volunteers to work with vessels we don’t often come across, so working out how to transfer people and points to tow from was useful.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, in the first instance, please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 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 2004.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Mike Lang, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

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