Burnham RNLI Home Page > Burnham RNLI Launch Archive

June 14, 2005
Lifeboat brings powerboat to shore after River Parrett call-out

Burnham's Staines Whitfield lifeboat was launched on Tuesday June 14 after a 16-foot powerboat with a crew of three onboard encountered engine problems in the River Parrett.

The lifeboat was launched at 13:09 hours and its crew quickly located the stranded boat at North Dunball Point, near Burnham's Yacht Club, where a line was attacheed to tow the stricken boat to safety.

The boat, called Katie-Jo, was towed up the river estuary and delivered safely back to the Sailing Club's pontoons (shown below) where the relieved crew got back onto shore and were debriefed by Burnham Coastguard.

Two maroons were fired from the RNLI station to let the crew onboard the stricken boat know that help was on its way.

The speedboat's owner is a resident of North Wales who moors his boat at Burnham-On-Sea and is familiar with the fast flowing currents of the River Parrett.

RNLI helmsman Nick Prout said: "The craft's occupants had been unable to restart their engine and drifted onto a lee shore. We towed them to the safety of Burnham Sailing Club's pontoons."

RELATED LINKS:

River Parrett panoramic images

Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Home Page