Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers in another dual tasking

Burnham’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, was immediately launched from the beach, and proceeded to the estimated target area, in the River Parrett, near Huntspill, to utilise their Direction Finding equipment. Simultaneously, a rescue helicopter (Rescue 187) had also been tasked, and confirmed the source to be further inland, near a waste site.

Launch Authority Marc Smith says; ‘As this tasking was coming to an end, the beach warden phoned Milford Coastguard to report potentially two persons at the waters edge, possibly stuck in the mud near the Maddocks Slade buoy. Milford control paged us and we made the Station D class lifeboat ready but Atlantic was quickly on scene. (The D class didn’t launch)'

'I spoke to Milford and requested they consider also paging the hovercraft due to the outgoing tide. Our Atlantic performed a search and it turned out to be a ‘false alarm with good intent’ (Two logs at the waters edge, brought in by the previous high tide). Our volunteers returned both lifeboats to the station, and made them ready for the programmed evening’s training.’

Marc later put out a post, saying; ‘Thanks for your attendance today. I know some people left work and a couple of you left builders in your houses to attend. So much appreciated from yourselves (whatever you were doing) and employers.’

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]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [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.