A Burnham-On-Sea sailing enthusiast whose boat capsized during a regatta race at the weekend, leaving her floating in the sea for 15 minutes, has thanked fellow Sailing Club members for coming to her rescue.
Burnham Coastguards were alerted on Saturday (July 9th) when Sue Walker’s boat, called Cameo, overturned near Stert Island during a yacht race that was being held as part of Burnham’s sailing regatta.
A large wave struck the boat, tipping it over, and she clung onto the side for 15 minutes before she was spotted and Sailing Club members rushed to help her.
Sue told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “A freak wave hit the boat and completely inundated it with water. It quickly tipped up and I was left in the sea clinging to the tiller.”
“I was concerned that I might not be spotted because I was so low down in the water – I felt small and vulnerable.”
“Fortunately, my buoyancy aid worked well – and without it the situation would have been more serious.”
Burnham Sailing Club’s Graham Wills told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “One of our members, Dave Lewis, spotted Sue and sailed over to her and pulled her out, while her water-logged boat was towed back to shore. She was shaken up by it but has quickly recovered.”
Sue – who was checked by an ambulance crew at the scene – added: “I am grateful to those who helped me. It was my first time overboard and not something I would want to make a habit of!”
Burnham Coastguards were called to the scene to monitor the situation and a lifeboat was paged but was stood down prior to launching.
Pictured: Sue Walker and Graham Wills at Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club
