Volunteer crew members at Burnham on Crouch Lifeboat station have reached a record number of launches this year – and the sailing season is still in full swing!

The crew have been requested to launch the Lifeboats by Her Majesty’s Coastguard 50 times so far this year to 39 separate incidents.  Several searches have involved both Burnham lifeboats; leading to the mismatch in numbers.

The ‘shouts’ have required the Lifeboat crew to respond to a variety of calls for help including assisting in searches for missing people, attending stranded vessels suffering mechanical failures and even a call to rescue a small flock of stranded sheep! 

Assistant Lifeboat Press Officer and Website Administrator, Claire Rawlinson said “The record number of launches for our station so far this year, just goes to prove the existence of the Lifeboats in Burnham is vital in ensuring the safety of both the sailing community and those using the paths and walkways along both sides of our local rivers. The service could not be provided without the continued dedication of our volunteer crews providing a 24/7 emergency service.”