Burnham-On-Sea RNLI volunteers have thanked a Cheddar tyre company for stepping in at short notice after a flat tyre on one of the station’s launch tractors threatened to disrupt lifeboat operations over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The fault was discovered last Friday and immediately raised concerns, as the tractor is essential for launching both lifeboats during emergencies. With the busy Annual Emergency Services Day approaching on the Sunday, the timing could not have been worse.
Launch Authority Phil Counsell said the team faced “major issues” in getting their Atlantic 85 lifeboat to sea if a call‑out occurred. He contacted Redline Tyres in Cheddar at 2.45pm on the Friday afternoon, hoping for urgent assistance.
Despite the Bank Holiday pressures, Redline Tyres arrived at the lifeboat station at 9am the following morning – far earlier than other companies, who were offering call‑outs from Tuesday at the earliest. The team fitted a new tube and carried out the work at no cost to the RNLI.
Phil says the prompt response ensured Burnham’s volunteers remained fully operational along the Somerset coast. He added his thanks to the company for helping the station stay on service at a crucial time.
The repaired tractor was ready for duty ahead of Sunday’s Rescue Services Day, allowing crews to demonstrate their launch capability without disruption.
