Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers, involved in a training exercise, and a rescue.
All was well during Sunday morning's regular training launch, 6th June, at Burnham-on-Sea RNLI, until it wasn’t. Helmsman Martin had planned a scenario looking at various problems that might occur when returning to the lifeboat station.
The launching tractor and trailer had left the beach, and was proceeding up the jetty. Suddenly the command ‘STOP!!!’ was issued. The Huge launch tractor ceased to move, and the shore crew sprang into action. A casualty (The station rescue dummy) had become trapped under the wheels of the tractor. Immediately, the tractor driver kept firm pressure on the brake and waited whilst shore crew members placed chocks behind the wheels to keep the tractor from moving. Training medical kit was brought into play, and various strategies for treating the inherent crush injuries etc. highlighted, and practised, including oxygen treatment etc.
You will be glad to hear that the rescue dummy was not seriously injured, during this casualty care scenario, and made a full recovery.
As the Atlantic lifeboat was waiting to be recovered, a Topper sailing Dinghy capsized just off the Town Slip, with it’s single crew having difficulty righting the craft and had become separated from the dinghy. Burnham’s D class lifeboat crew having just been recovered, immediately re-launched. The Atlantic 85 volunteers secured the dinghy, whilst the D class lifeboat volunteers recovered the sailor and both were reunited.
The sailor was experienced and happy, so he continued sailing and both boats were recovered. In the capsize the dinghy’s Dagger Board (small keel) had become detached and this was making it very difficult to right the boat. With the Dagger Board retrieved and reinstated, the sailor was happy to continue afloat and, after assisting with getting him under way, both boats returned to shore to be recovered, and then taken back to the station for a wash down, and being made ready for the next launch
Launch Authority Nigel quoted; ‘Casualty Care exercise - one exercise conducted this morning. A second one cancelled due to a tasking. Thanks to Martin H for organising and running a very useful exercise.’
‘We had been watching the dinghy sailor from the beach and, when it looked as though he was not recovering from the capsize after a few minutes, we made the decision to check that all was ok. We were glad to be able to offer the assistance that he needed, and happy to find that he was experienced and well-equipped. He had just suffered the sort of mishap that can affect the best prepared of sailors.'
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.