Weston super Mare RNLI Lifeboat

18 December 2009 21:06 Call 36 of 2009 Missing Person.

MRCC Swansea contacted the station to report a missing 53 year old male. They requested the launch of both lifeboats. The crew were stood down before launch, the missing person was found alive and well in his own home.

25 November 2009 20:00 Call 35 of 2009 Investigate Report of missing elderly lady with dementure.

At 20:00 Hrs MRCC Swansea was made aware of a missing elderly lady with dementure. A search of the surf line was requested, from Black Rock to Sand Point. The Atlantic 75 - B796 was out on exercise, and tasked to carry out the search. Nothing was found, and the boat and crew returned to station ay 21:00.

16 October 2009 16:57 Call 34 of 2009 Investigate Report of Adult Male walking into Sea.

At 16:57 Hrs MRCC Swansea Paged Crew and LOM to request Immediate Launch to investigate report of Adult Male walking into the sea on the Tropicana Beach. On assembly at the Boathouse B-769 was made ready and was proceeding down the slipway when MRCC Swansea Paged CANCEL LAUNCH at 17:06 Hrs. B-769 was recovered back into the Compound and Crew Stood Down at 17:30 Hours.

10 October 2009 20:30 Call 33 of 2009 Escort of Jet Ski to Porthcawl

Both Weston-super-Mare lifeboats were involved in ensuring the safety of a jet ski and its driver from South Wales. At 1501 on 10th October the Weston-super-Mare RNLI lifeboat crew was paged to investigate a jet ski which had gone aground on mud in Weston Bay. The D-class Lifeboat "Anna Stock" was launched. It turned out the occupant had walked ashore and a second, accompanying, jet ski was not in trouble so the lifeboat was returned to station. The Jet Ski had come over from South Wales and the driver was intent on returning there when his craft refloated. It was decided that there were risks to such a journey at night on a jet ski in the strong tides and in the shipping lanes of the Bristol Channel. The Coastguard requested that Weston RNLI Atlantic 75 Class lifeboat "Coventry and Warwickshire" escorted him across the Channel. As she was to travel over 30 miles to Porthcall another lifeboat was launched from Porthcall to take over the escort for the later part of the trip. It was 22.30 before the RNLI crew returned to their Birnbeck base.

RNLI Helmsman Mike Buckland said; "We would rather have escorted him to ensure his safety than to have been called out later to look for him after some dreadful accident. Indeed when we were in transit a huge ship passed us in the dark at great speed."

10 October 2009 15:00 Call 32 of 2009 Personal Water Craft aground on Weston Bay off Royal Sands

Jet Ski in difficulties aground in Weston Bay reported by MRCC Swansea. D696 Anna Stock was launched, and proceeded to investigate the occupants intentions when tide refloats craft. BARB hovercraft launched to gain access to Jet Ski. Lifeboat returned to station at 17:35.

30 September 2009 21:10 Call 31 of 2009 Missing Person

Search requested for missing person having made threats of suicide. Both Lifeboats launched and tasked to search the area from Sand Bay to Brean Down. An extensive search was undertaken along with HM Coastguards from Weston-super-Mare, and Burnham on Sea, along with Police Helicopter Quebec Oscar 99. All units stood down at 23:10, missing person later found alive and well outside his own home.

21 September 2009 10:24 Call 30 of 2009 Dog in water

Report of a dog and its owner in the water off Sand Bay, the owner unable to recover the animal. The D-Class, Anna Stock was tasked to attend. The crew of the D Class recovered the dog, a black Labrador, and it's football (the dog was chasing this out to sea), and returned safe and well to its owners who had already made their way to shore.

20 September 2009 10:33 Call 29 of 2009 Investigate object in Water near Clevedon

Whilst on exercise in Weston Bay, a request was made by Swansea Coastguard to investigate an object in the water near Clevedon in a strong ebbing tide. B769 Atlantic lifeboat was tasked to attend, and a thorough search of the area carried out with no result. A good deal of driftwood was observed in the area due to the high tide.

20 September 2009 09:00 Call 28 of 2009 Jet Ski in difficulty in Weston Bay

Weston-super-Mare RNLI Atlantic 75 class lifeboat towed a sinking jet ski into Knightstone Harbour. Sunday morning is one of the times when the RNLI Lifeboat crews exercise in their lifeboats. This Sunday while they were alongside in Knightstone Harbour the crew of the Atlantic 75 Class Lifeboat "Coventry and Warwickshire" were alerted by a jet skier to another jet ski that had just sunk between the Grand Pier and Knightstone Harbour. Whilst performing stunts the jet ski's engine hood had come loose and the engine compartment was flooded. The rider was still with his craft. The rider was helped aboard the lifeboat and the jet ski towed alongside. Both were taken ashore at the slipway at Knightstone Harbour. When they were sure all was well, the lifeboat continued with the exercise and returned to its base on Birnbeck Island at 1135 hrs.

RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said "Jet Skis are very common at Weston. They are great fun and, if used responsibly, can provide much enjoyment of the waters around us. This episode shows that it is much safer to be at sea on a jet ski when other jet skiers are about, rather than going out alone, just in case of emergency."

11 September 2009 18:07 Call 27 of 2009 Vessel disabled & drifting

Report of a Mayday received from a 24' sports boat in the Bristol Channel near Flat Holm. The vessel had been damaged by a submerged object, but was not sinking. Both lifeboats launched, and immediately stood down since Penarth Lifeboat had also been launched.

28 August 2009 11:07 Call 26 of 2009 Canoeists in difficulty, Knightstone Island

At 1100 hrs on Friday 28th August the Coastguard were warned of two canoeists in difficulties off Knightstone Island. The winds were Force 8 with a 2m swell and breaking waves making conditions extremely dangerous. Accordingly the lifeboat crews were paged at 1108 and within ten minutes the RNLI lifeboats were both launched. When they reached the scene it became apparent that the canoeists had managed, with considerable difficulty, to reach the shore. The RNLI lifeboats stood by until they were sure the canoeists were safe and then returned to Birnbeck island. Here they were recovered without difficulty despite the strong wind and waves requiring great skill to bring the boats ashore. The boats were both refuelled and ready for service by 1245 hrs.

RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said "We often have to go out in severe conditions but we always advise the public to be aware of the great dangers that the sea in its many moods can cause. In this case the wind and tide was causing large waves to break over the sea walls making for very dangerous conditions."

Images taken by Crew during launch 28 Aug 09

25 August 2009 19:27 Call 25 of 2009 Yacht aground on Black Rock, off Waines Hill, Clevedon

Swansea Coastguard had become concerned that the yacht could be in difficulties as it would refloat after dark. The RNLI lifeboat crew were paged at 1927 hrs and the Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" was launched at 1935 closely followed by the D-class "Anna Stock". When the crew reached the casualty the lone sailor on board was tired but unhurt and the vessel seemed undamaged. The RNLI lifeboats stood by the yacht until it refloated at 2215 hrs. A crewman was put on board the casualty and it was taken in tow by the Atlantic 75. Escorted by the D-class the yacht was towed to its moorings in the river Axe were it was moored at 0015. The lifeboats returned to station and were ready for service again by 0030.

Helmsman Liam McDermott said. "The sailor deliberately grounded his yacht after fowling his propeller on a lost rope. The skipper kept the Coastguard updated with his situation which enabled our RNLI lifeboats to offer assistance well in advance of any potential problems."

18 August 2009 16:44 Call 24 of 2009 Persons stranded by tide on Black Rock

Persons appeared to be in difficulty on Black Rock off the mouth of the river Axe. Upon arrival on scene investigation by the crew of D696 found the 4 persons in question were not in danger and were safe and well, fishing. The 4 persons were left where they were as they would wait for the tide to fall and make their own way back to shore. D696 left the casualty area at 17:05 Hrs and returned to station at 17:27.

10 August 2009 18:50 Call 23 of 2009 Report of vessel in difficulty near River Axe

AT 1853 hours on 10th August the Weston lifeboat crew was paged following a report by a member of the public that a yacht was in trouble in Weston Bay. The "D-class" lifeboat "Anna Stock" was launched within 8 minutes and proceeded rapidly to the mouth of the River Axe were the yacht was anchored. On talking to the persons on board it transpired that the yacht was not in trouble but just waiting for the tide to enter the Axe. The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 1925. The sea was rough at the time the call was made to Swansea Coastguard which had given the member of the public the impression the yacht was in difficulties.

Weston RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said" Although there was not a problem this time we would always prefer that members of the public do call in if in doubt. That way we can get to a casualty quickly when there is a real problem"

7 August 2009 18:53 Call 22 of 2009 Persons cut off by Tide, South of Brean Down

On the evening of Saturday 7th August Swansea Coastguard was informed that three men had been cut off by the tide on Brean Down. The Weston lifeboat crew were paged at 1955 and both inshore lifeboats were launched within minutes. They immediately made their way across Weston Bay and started their search at Black Rock. The "D-class" lifeboat "Anna Stock" soon found the men stranded on rocks a quarter of a mile out to sea on the south side of Brean Down. The men had been walking the shoreline at low water and had not realised that the tide was rising and cutting them off. They were able to call for help on their mobile phones. The three men, two adults and a teenager, were rescued by the "D-class" and put ashore at Berrow Beach. None of the casualties were injured but the teenager was transferred to an ambulance as he was suffering with the effects of the cold.

15 July 2009 20:20 Call 21 of 2009 Search for missing person

Police requested a search of the North side of Brean Down for a missing male. Both B-769 and D-696 were launched at 20:25 Hrs. A thorough search of the foreshore and rocks at Brean Down was carried out and nothing found.

11 July 2009 10:59 Call 20 of 2009 Report of unmanned vessel adrift in bay

Report of an unmanned vessel adrift in Weston Bay. Occupant had been able to swim ashore and raise the alarm. Both boats launched, however it was not immediately visible in the immediate area of Weston and Sand Bay from Birnbeck Island. Following further information. The vessel was located near Newport, Gwent, on the Peterstone Flats. A crew member went aboard to check the vessel and raise the "Dagger Board" in order to allow the vessel to come clear of the sand Banks and a tow established with the aim of returning the vessel to it's moorings in the River axe Estuary at Uphill. However due to the tidal constraints and the speed of the tow it was decided to make for the Lifeboat Mooring at Birnbeck Island, Weston. Crew stood down at 14:40.

04 July 2009 18:00 Call 19 of 2009 Windsurfers in difficulty off Uphill Beach

B696 already afloat on exercise in the vicinity of Windsurfers appearing in difficulty off Uphill Beach. On arriving at casualties it was found that both has in fact been able to swim ashore, and were in no further danger.

03 July 2009 16:48 Call 18 of 2009 Persons in Difficulty, Elderly Swimmers in water

Swansea Coastguard reported 3 elderly swimmers were in difficulty in the sea near Marine Lake, Clevedon. Both Life Boats were launched, but later stood down as casualties reported recovered.

02 July 2009 20:18 Call 17 of 2009 3 Persons in Mud in River Axe

3 persons experienced difficulty swimming across the mouth of the River Axe. Persons were being taken out to sea by the current. Both lifeboats launched, and persons recovered by B696.

02 July 2009 13:46 Call 16 of 2009 2 Persons in an Inflatable boat in difficulty having capsized

Coastguard had reported 2 persons drifting out from Uphill Beach in a capsized inflatable boat. Both boats launched, and upon arriving on scene were able to confirm casualty had arrived safely on the beach.

28 June 2009 01:17 Call 15 of 2009 Person in water unable to be restrained by police

Person entered water and in difficulty having been known to have been drinking after argument with girlfriend. Casualty found with aid of helo 169. Casualty unable to stay afloat and losing consciousness. D696 arrived and crew member entered the water to assist and keep casualty afloat who was unable to help himself. Crew members helped casualty and crew member aboard, and returned to Knightstone and awaiting ambulance.

27 June 2009 18:21 Call 14 of 2009 Search for Missing Person

Both boats launched and tasked to carry out a tide line search of Sandbay and Weston Bay. Both boats stood down at 19:20 after conducting an effective search of the tide lines with nothing found.

27 June 2009 13:43 Call 13 of 2009 Swimmers in difficulty

3 swimmers reported in difficulty in water off Uphill Beach. Both boats launched, and searched shoreline along beach and along north shore of Brean Down. Helicopter Rescue 169 joined the search and report received that 2 swimmers had returned safely. Search continued for 3rd summer, but after the whole area covered without result, and it was concluded that 3rd swimmer must have returned without knowledge. No further missing persons reports received.

26 June 2009 20:20 Call 12 of 2009 Vessel with Engine Failure

Launch of Atlantic lifeboat tasked with recovery of vessel "Swampy" with engine failure.

26 June 2009 15:05 Call 11 of 2009 Persons in difficulty in mud

3 males reported in difficulty in mud off Anchor Head. Crew assembled, whilst preparing for launch it was clear that all individuals concerned had returned to a safe part of the beach.

26 June 2009 13:46 Call 10 of 2009 Inflatable boat capsized

Report of 2 persons off Uphill beach in difficulty, after appearing to have capsized an inflatable boat. Both boats launched, on arrival on scene were able to confirm that casualties had returned safely to the beach.

24 June 2009 12:15 Call 9 of 2009 Continue Search

Following unsuccessful search for 2 swimmers overnight, both lifeboats launched and tasked to carry out a low water search, together with other search and rescue teams. Search called off at 15:50 without success finding missing persons.

23 June 2009 21:59 Call 8 of 2009 Persons reported in water

Immediate launch undertaken following notification of 2 persons in difficulties in the water off Royal Pier Hotel area. Both boats commenced an immediate search from Anchor Head towards Birnbeck Island, and along the main ebb tidal stream from West of Birnbeck towards Howe Rocks, Bream Down. Search was joined by Helicopter Rescue 169, Weston super Mare Coastguard, and Avon Fire and Rescue Hovercraft "Firefly". Burnham Lifeboat advised to search the South Side of Brean Down. Search was unsuccessful, and crew stood down at 06:00 24 June.

03 June 2009 19:20 Call 7 of 2009 Kayak Capsized in Weston Bay

Crew of Kayak were practicing capsize drills in Weston Bay half a mile off Anchor Head. D Class was launched, and ascertained that Kayak crew were fit and well, and advised Kayakers to inform the Coast Guard in future prior to carrying out practices in order to avoid false alarms.

30 May 2009 16:29 Call 6 of 2009 Speedboat Sinking

Report of speedboat sinking off Swallow Rocks with 3 people on board (no life jackets). Both boats launched and arrived on scene at the same time as Helo169. Casualties winched to Rescue 169, speedboat now aground on Langford grounds. D-Class crew anchored the vessel for later refloat and recovery. Stood down at 19:10.

27 May 2009 18:21 Call 5 of 2009 Missing Person

Both Lifeboats launched, and tasked to carry out a tide line search of Sand Bay and Weston Bay. Both boats stood down at 19:20 after conducting an effective search of the tide lines with nothing found.

27 May 2009 00:27 Call 4 of 2009 Missing Person

Both Lifeboats launched and tasked to search for a missing female, between Grand Pier and Kewstoke Convalescent Home. Instructed to stand down at 01:30 after conducting an effective search of the tide lines with nothing found.

24 April 2009 18:55 Call 3 of 2009 3 Young Boys Cut Off By Tide

3 young boys about 13 -15 yrs old seen on rocks near shore side of Birnbeck Pier cut off by incoming tide. D696 IB1 launched at 18:55 and made best speed to reported casualties who were in view from launch site. Boys recovered unhurt and returned to safety on Birnbeck.

7 April 2009 18:39 Call 2 of 2009 Report of Kite Surfer on Passage to Cardiff - Contact Lost

Kite Surfer was reported as leaving Weston Bay at 16:30, on passage to Cardiff. Last sighted by HM Coastguard between Brean Down and Steep Holme Island. Both Lifeboats launched, and directed to search north of Steep Holme Island. Casualty made contact with HMRC and reported he was onshore, but unsure of his position. Casualty located at Limpet Bay Nr. Aberthaw Power Station. Casualty unharmed, but concerned about the trouble caused.

11 March 2009 11:30 Call 1 of 2009 Report of Small Dinghy drifting West of Birnbeck

Sighting of a Small Boat Drifting down channel on the Ebb tide in a position approximately 0.75 Miles West South West of Birnbeck Island. It couldn't be ascertained by Binoculars if anyone was aboard the casualty vessel, D696 was launched to investigate. There was no sign of anyone having been onboard, as such it was assumed the vessel had floated out from somewhere up channel on the current Spring Tides. Crew undertook to tow the casualty back to Weston Lifeboat Station on Birnbeck Island.