Burnham-On-Sea’s RNLI lifeboat was launched on Saturday evening (August 23rd) following reports of a swimmer possibly in difficulty and a disabled powerboat.
Crowds gathered along the Esplanade to watch as the lifeboat launched at 8.15pm and the crew carried out an initial search of the estuary for the powerboat, heading towards Burnham sailing club before returning to the jetty.
The lifeboat was recovered from the jetty and then relaunched shortly with new details about the location of the swimmer. The crew focused their second search towards Burnham Lighthouse and around The Pavilion.
“Milford Haven Coastguard had paged the RNLI lifeboat crews at 8.09 pm after a report of a boat with engine trouble in the River Parrett. A water skier, presumably being towed by the boat, had become separated from the vessel and was in the water.”
“The D-class lifeboat ‘Burnham Reach’ was launched at 8.15pm, but stood down by the Coastguard en route to the casualty area, as another vessel had taken the boat in tow, and all personnel were accounted for.”
“As the D-class was being recovered, a member of the public informed the shore crew that someone had been seen swimming off Maddocks Slade, and was possibly in trouble.
“After discussion with the Coastguard control, the D class was re-tasked to search the area. However, nothing being found, the Lifeboat was stood down, to be recovered at Town Slip and made ready for the next service, at the lifeboat station.”
Burnham’s Duty Launch Authority, Nigel Morton said: “It was a busy evening for us, with two shouts, one after the other. In both cases those involved did exactly the right thing in calling for help when they thought they needed it. As always, it was good to be able to report a happy outcome from both shouts.”
