Published: October 21, 2012
24 yachts hoisted from river during sailing club's autumn crane-out

Two huge cranes towered over the River Brue in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (October 20th) when over 20 yachts were hoisted into the skies during the town's annual autumn 'crane-out'.

Organisers from Burnham Sailing Club took advantage of the high tide and calm weather to proceed with a seven-hour operation to move vessels out of the river into the club's boat yard.

The event happens each October and marks the end of the summer sailing season, with the boats are moved into safe storage in the club's boat yard over the winter and then craned-in next April. The spectacle always draws onlookers along the seafront.

Sailing Club Vice President Ken Sowden told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We lifted out 24 yachts for the winter which gave us a tight schedule and lots to do, but it went very well and the weather and the calm sea conditions were ideal."

Pictured: The yachts were hauled out of the river early on Saturday morning - pics Roger Burgess