Published: August 16, 2010
New engine handed over to Burnham rescue hovercraft crew

Engineers at motor firm MG have come to the aid of Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft.

After six years of faithful service and many lifesaving rescues, the engine in Burnham's Spirit of Lelaina rescue hovercraft was beginning to feel the strain.

Luckily, Burnham is a favourite holiday spot of Neil Butler, a chief engineer based at the SAIC Technical Centre at MG Birmingham. SAIC is the parent company of MG Motor UK.

Neil said: "I happened to be on the beach one day and saw that the hovercraft's engine was really struggling. I knew that one of our new engines from MG TFs built in Birmingham would not just fit in the craft but do a much better job."

As a result, a new MG 135hp engine has been donated which will give the hovercraft a 40 knot capability and cut down the time it takes to get to people in peril. Neil put in many hours of his own time to work on the engine to adapt it to salt water conditions.

The engine was officially handed over to BARB on Sunday during the town's annual rescue services day.

Mark Newman, chairman of Burnham-on-Sea's hovercraft rescue charity, BARB, said: "The new MG engine will be crucial to our work in saving lives and we are extremely grateful to Neil and everyone at MG and the Technical Centre who have been so generous and helpful."

The new MG engine was presented to the charity by Neil and Richard Moore, executive director of SAIC UK Technical Centre. It will be fitted to the craft over the quieter autumn period.