Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were called out on Saturday evening (May 19th) to investigate an object seen in the sea near the town’s Sailing Club.
A seafront walker on the South Esplanade had called 999 at 8.45pm after spotting a ‘large orange object’ floating upstream on the incoming tide.
A Burnham Coastguard spokesman said: “As darkness was falling and the tide was sweeping in we were tasked to investigate an object that had been spotted floating south along the seafront towards the Yacht Club.”
“Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre asked us to locate to the Yacht Club and get a visual on the item from the seawall.”
“Once there we spoke to the first informant who pointed out where it had last been seen.”
“There were a number of fishermen in the area and two of our Coastguard Rescue Officers were sent out to find out if they had spotted anything.”
“Sure enough, they had spotted the item and one of them had seen it fairly close up and said it looked to be a large balloon and gave the same location as the first informant.”
“From our location, and with falling light, we were unable to get any eyes on it, and just as we were planning on relocating to the other side of the River Brue, the dredger The Arco Dart came into view along with the pilot boat.”
“After speaking with the Pilot boat they kindly had a look along the bank where they spotted the large orange balloon. As the boat was unable to get close enough to collect it, it was decided it was no danger where it had come to rest and the RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-On-Sea would collect and remove it in the morning while out training.”
He added: “This was a great bit of timing and being able to use local assets of any kind really came into play here and saved us having to relocate and undoubtedly work in the dark around a slippery part of the river bank.”
“The first informant was worried that it had been a waste of our time but this is not the case. Something floating in the water could be any number of things. In this case it was harmless but without investigating further there would’ve been no way of knowing.”
“Thanks also go to the Pilot boat crew for their assistance. If you see anyone in danger or difficulty along the coast dial 999 and ask for the Coastguards.”
