Burnham-On-Sea’s rescue hovercraft and a team of Coastguards were called out on Monday (April 4th) amid concern for the welfare of a person onboard this catamaran which had run aground on Stert Island the day before.
BARB Search & Rescue and Burnham Coastguards were called out shortly after 9am when communications were lost with the stranded vessel on the mudflats opposite Burnham, pictured here.
BARB’s Light Of Elizabeth hovercraft flew two Coastguard members across the estuary to the island where they checked on the welfare of the man onboard. The catamaran first ran aground on Sunday afternoon.
Burnham Coastguard Officer David Welland said: “With no radio contact, there was growing concern for the welfare of the man and therefore we requested the launch of the BARB hovercraft.”
“Two of our team spoke to the man onboard and confirmed he has adequate provisions and is happy to wait for the next tide to refloat. He had turned off his radio to conserve power.”
Update: The stranded boat was refloated on the afternoon high tide.
