Burnham-on-Sea RNLI lifeboats tasked to assist disabled yacht
Milford Haven Coastguard control paged Burnham-on-Sea RNLI crews at 8.24 pm, Tuesday 29 May, after a yacht reported engine failure in the Bristol channel, shortly before high water. Luckily for the yachts crew, the Bridgwater pilot boat was at sea, and had taken them in tow.
The Burnham RNLI volunteers quickly launched their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, and proceeded towards the casualty craft. The pilot boat was proceeding well, but being on duty tonight, the lifeboat volunteers needed to take over the tow.
Lifeboat helmsman Ashley Chappel said; ‘The casualty yacht was well equipped but had experienced engine failure in the approaches to Burnham. We took over the tow and delivered them to the security of the sailing club pontoons, in the River Brue. Once the craft was safely moored, we returned the lifeboat to Burnham-on-Sea town slip for recovery to the lifeboat station, for a wash-down, and refuelling, by the volunteer shore crew.’
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
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.