Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat volunteers respond to two parallel incidents

Duty Launch Authority Marc Smith was tasked by Milford Haven Coastguard control to launch as two persons were reported to be cut off by the incoming tide at the South side of Brean Down. As Marc was accepting that task, another incident was being rung through, concerning persons in the water towards the Gore sands in the vicinity of Allandale Road. In effect, two simultaneous incidents.

Hence, the D class lifeboat crew were paged at 8.33 pm whereas the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, was paged for immediate readiness at 8.35 pm. The D class lifeboat, Burnham Reach, proceeded to the South side of the Down where the crew discovered two fishemen, well equipped with lanterns etc, and plans to return to the shore as the tide dropped. The torchlight was visible from the shore, but they were not in trouble. Obviously, a false alarm with good intent.

On launching, the Atlantic 85 made way to the vicinity of the Lower Light, where they discovered a group of teenagers having a beach party of sorts, but not in any trouble, another false alarm with good intent. Both boats were stood down to return to Burnham slipway for recovery and wash-down at the lifeboat station.

As the kit had been put away, and the last of the volunteers were leaving to go home at around 10.00 pm, a man was found collapsed near the station. Our paramedic crew member Martin re-entered the station to fetch oxygen equipment, and assessed the casualty, with a resultant call for attendance by an ambulance, which took the man to hospital. On Sunday, Burnham’s Atlantic 85 was due to attend a planned exercise with Barry Dock and Minehead lifeboats, Certainly a busy weekend with four shouts (Three taskings) and an exercise

Launch Authority Marc`Smith says; ‘overall a busy weekend with three taskings, followed by training. Great commitment from all the team, and their two simultaneously reported incidents, both with succesful outcomes, fifteen people assisted, and all confirmed as safe and well.

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

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

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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.

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