Published:
July 18, 2009
In
video: Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat rescues sailors in River Brue
A Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat was launched on Saturday afternoon
(July 18th) to help two sailors in difficulty after their yacht
ran aground in the River Brue.
The
Staines Whitfield lifeboat was launched at 4pm to assist the crew
onboard the 32ft yacht which had run aground on the muddy banks
of the river estuary, near to Highbridge's sewer works.
The
lifeboat crew took the two sailors back to the safety of Burnham
Sailing Club pontoons and also towed their sailing dinghy to safety,
as pictured here.
According
to a Burnham-On-Sea RNLI spokesman, the yacht was leaving a mooring
in the Brue, adjacent to Apex Park, when a gust of wind had pushed
it off course, leaving it firmly aground, and placing the boat
and crew in potential jeopardy.
"Despite
assistance from a helpful Zapcat owner, and another yacht, who
ended up being tangled in mooring lines, they were unable to free
their craft," added the spokesman.
The
crew of the Staines Whitfield, after returning the disabled 'Good
Samaritan' to its own mooring, ensured that the yacht was temporarily
secure and took the owner and his crew member back to the safety
of the Sailing Club pontoons.
The
spokesman added: "This was a potentially hazardous situation,
dealt with effectively by our volunteers. The owner is going to
try refloating the craft on Sunday afternoon."
"Despite
assistance from a helpful Zapcat owner, and another yacht, who
ended up being tangled in mooring lines, they were unable to free
their craft," added the spokesman.
