Burnham-on-Sea RNLI team assist stricken speedboat off Brean Down

The lifeboat team were paged at 1.34pm, to investigate reports of a small speedboat, with three persons on board and one in the water, which was out of control.

Burnham’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Doris Day and Brian was launched within 15 minutes, and the crew proceeded to the area - 1km south of Brean Down, and around 100m out from the beach.

Once the casualty craft was reached, it was deemed that the large expanse of mud and the deeper draught of the lifeboat would have rendered recovery at Brean difficult.

The decision was therefore taken to launch the Burnham-on-Sea D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach, which - because of its shallow draught - might aid smooth recovery.

Unfortunately, on the D class lifeboat’s arrival at the scene, the speedboat (A dory type around 11 feet long, with outboard motor) was hard aground, and recovery at that time impossible, it being almost low water.

Therefore, the decision was taken to return to Burnham-on-Sea, and relaunch at 6.30pm on the incoming tide.

Before that, two of the lifeboat crew were able to assist the remaining dory passengers through the mud, and prepared for the return to Burnham.

Atlantic helm Ashley Chappel said: "When we arrived, there were a couple of crew in the dory, and one in the water trying to unsuccessfully repair a steering fault.

"By that time, recovery proved to be impossible, so we resolved to return when the water was higher on the next tide."

The Burnham crews relaunched lifeboats at 6.30pm, and proceeded to Brean, where they were able to recover the casualty and bring the boat back to Burnham, and the owner was able to take possession.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "It was of course a long day for our crews on one of the hottest days of the year, and our shore crew team were really grateful for the donation of ice creams from the ice cream van on Burnham Beach.

"Additionally, Keith and Marcia of Brit Chips, had sent across some cold drinks which were also most welcome."