RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea

26/06/2026

Could you help us to save lives at sea in Burnham?

We are looking for people to join the station team as a Head Launcher - the vital role which ensures the safe and speedy move of boats and tractors from the station to the water, for both life-saving shouts, and for exercises. Details are in the link below.

https://share.google/yEFXeBp9mk9njc3oh

21/06/2026

THE WEATHER IS HOT, BUT THE WATER IS COLD.

The Met Office have issued an ‘Extreme Heat’ Amber warning for Monday and Tuesday this week, so if you are heading for the coast, or inland waters to cool off, please remember the dangers of Cold Water Shock.

This can happen in water below 15°C (UK sea temperature rarely gets above this even in the summer, around the Somerset coast, today is just 14°C, and can seriously affect your breathing and movement. UK fresh water temperatures are generally are a couple of degrees cooler, so the risk is always there.

What does Cold Water Shock do to you?
It causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, and heart rate is increased so the heart has to work harder, raising your blood pressure. This can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy. Cold water immersion also causes an involuntary gasp for breath, uncontrollable breathing rate increase, and a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs - enough to start the drowning process.

You can counter the effects of Cold Water Shock.
The initial effects pass in less than a minute or two so don’t try to swim straight away. Relax and FLOAT TO LIVE - float like a starfish, tilt your head back and keep your ears just submerged, gently move your arms and legs to keep afloat and try to keep calm - then call for help or swim for safety if you’re able.

Float to Live has saved lives - please remember the message, share it with family and friends, and treat water with respect.

15/06/2026

Here’s a message from our station Water Safety team at Burnham-on-Sea..

As summer approaches and the temperature rises, we look to head to the beach and water to cool down. However, at this time of year in particular, the water temperature has not yet warmed up from the winter. The cold water shock effect between the ‘warm’ air temperature, and ‘cold’ water temperature is even greater. We know that when the air temperature is over 25 degrees C, the risk of accidental drownings increases five-fold compared with 10 degrees. The Float to Live message has been proven to save lives - please remember it and pass it on to family and friends.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C8uWDEesu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/06/2026

***3/6/26***

Two shouts in short succession ahead of our regular Wednesday evening training..

Shortly after 1PM yesterday, we were tasked by Milford Haven Coastguard with crew pagers immediately sounding to reports of a PLB (personal locator beacon) that had as if activated near the Huntspill river.

Rapidly launching our Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, volunteer crew members made best speed to the area, joined by the Coastguard Rescue 187 helicopter.

Reporting from overhead that the exact location was in fact inland, we were stood down.

Though whilst completing this tasking, our Beach Warden colleagues had called into Milford Haven CG to report a potential sighting of two people at the waters edge possibly stuck in the mud at the far opposite end of our beach.

Readying to launch our shallower drafting D-class lifeboat, with the Atlantic already on the water - the crew once again made best speed to the potential casualty location, thankfully confirming on inspection it was in fact two large pieces of driftwood deposited on the earlier tide.

Two worthwhile shouts with good intent, attended by Burnham crews with the professionalism, focus and commitment we’re proud to consistently deliver.

After recovery, the Atlantic was washed down and refuelled, made ready for training launches later yesterday evening.

04/06/2026

On national week this crew are proud to continue serving on our coastline, so here’s what we’ve been up to:

✅ Two regular launches on excercise
✅ More individual crew training objectives and assessments underway
✅ Two SAR taskings (more on those later)
✅ And still grinning for the camera (why wouldn’t we when we get to call this shoreline our home!)

Thanks to all our followers, supporters, friends and visitors to Burnham - we’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you are in or see danger on our coastline, always dial 999 and Ask for the Coastguard

🙏

01/06/2026

Your local volunteer Lifeboat crew were busy on exercise yesterday morning (Sunday) for regular training -
Big Thanks to all of you that come out and show up to support us,

Credit to Mike Lang for these wonderful shots.

01/06/2026

Hi folks,
Here’s our June scheduled launch dates,

Wednesday Launches are 19:30
Sunday Launches are 09:00

Launch programme may change due to operational factors.

Wednesday 3rd
Saturday 6th
Sunday 7th
Sunday 14th
Wednesday 17th
Wednesday 24th

Thanks for your support, if you wish to donate to our cause please click the link on our page to donate via the RNLI website 👍

23/05/2026

With the weather forecast to be particularly warm this weekend, please take particular care near and in the water if you are heading out to enjoy the coast in or around Burnham.

Research by the Royal Livesaving Society and the University of Bournemouth has shown that the risk of accidental drowning increases five-fold when the air temperature gets above 25 degrees centigrade (which it is forecast to do over the weekend).

In and around Burnham particularly, please be aware of the risk of getting stuck in the mud (especially at lower states of the tide) and please observe the safety warnings on the Town slip about access down the slipway.

Remember - if you find yourself in, or think you might be getting into trouble, or see someone else in a similar position - call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

20/05/2026

We often talk about ‘Float to live’ ..

Great to read this story, positively life changing;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v2nvnrexdo?app-referrer=deep-link

The RNLI is urging people to follow Euan Gray's example by floating until help comes.

15/05/2026

***14/05/2026***

Yesterday evening at 5.43PM, Burnham RNLI volunteer crew members were tasked for emergency assistance to a yacht in difficulty in the Bristol Channel.

The casualty vessel had left Burnham en route to Watchet, and whilst her crew were well prepared, unfortunately its engine began overheating.

Responding to the call, our Atlantic 85 lifeboat Doris Day and Brian was rapidly launched, making full speed to the area of the casualty.

Duty Launch Authority Lyndon Baker explains; ‘ We located the casualty without difficulty and our crew escorted the yacht back to the safety of the Burnham-on-Sea Sailing Club pontoons. (This she did under her own sail and engine power).’

Calling the coastguard was absolutely the right thing to do- Good luck with the repairs and we’re glad to have been of service 🙏

The Atlantic 85 was stood down, and returned to Burnham slipway for recovery and wash-down by the volunteer shore crew, when it was made ready for the next launch, which could happen at any point, 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.