Donate now

Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers paged at 1.21am for a missing person search.

Lifeboats News Release

The lifeboat volunteers had not long finished cleaning up at 10.00 pm after their usual Wednesday evening training, when they were paged by Milford Haven Coastguard control at 1.21 am, 28 March, to liaise in a multi-agency search for a missing person.

Image with this release, shows a library image of the Burnham-on-Sea Atlantic 85 lifeboat preparing to launch at yesterday’s evening training

RNLI/Mike Lang

Image with this release, shows a library image of the Burnham-on-Sea Atlantic 85 lifeboat preparing to launch at yesterday’s evening training

Involved in the search were Burnham-on-Sea and Watchet Coastguard rescue teams, police, and also a Coastguard helicopter Rescue 187.

They leapt from their beds and on arrival at the lifeboat station launched their Atlantic 85 RNLI lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, into the cold dark night. On reaching the target area, in the vicinity of Lillstock cove, they proceeded to carry out a continual shoreline search, in liaison with the other agencies. They were stood down at 3.30am by Coastguard control after the missing person had been located by police. The volunteer crew returned to Burnham-on-Sea for recovery and washdown, eventually leaving the station at 5.30 am.

Launch Authority Phil Counsell said of the incident; ‘It was a cold damp night, but we are well equipped and trained to deal with these situations. I am pleased the search had a happy conclusion

Image with this release, shows a library image of the Burnham-on-Sea Atlantic 85 lifeboat preparing to launch at yesterday’s evening training

File name: Atlantic 85 Launch

END

Notes for Editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.


Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories