An early morning start for Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers
Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat crews were snuggled up in their beds, when Milford Haven Coatguard control instigated a pager alert at 4.47 am Thursday morning, 5 June, .
They had been called out to assist in a search for a missing person.
On arrival at the lifeboat station, volunteer crew quickly made ready the Burnham D class lifeboat, Burnham Reach, and proceeded to launch.
Helmsman Marc Smith explains; ‘Our D class crew undertook a shoreline search from the town slip to the lower light. Milford then requested us to search sound side of esplanade and into the Brue, which we did.’
A second page at 5.09 am had also requested launch of the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, but that was immediately cancelled. Eventually, the volunteers were stood down by Milford control, whereupon they returned the D class to the lifeboat station for wash-down, before being made ready for the next service.
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 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, X, 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.