BURNHAM-ON-SEA'S RNLI volunteers were called into action on Sunday (May 2), to assist a yacht which had suffered a loss of power.

The RNLI crew had just returned from their regular Sunday morning training, when the call came through to inform them that a local yacht had lost engine power while returning to Burnham Sailing Club's pontoons in the River Brue.

Atlantic 85 lifeboat 'Doris Day and Brian' was re-launched, and was able to assist the stricken craft with an alongside tow, delivering it safely to its berth.

Atlantic helmsman Nick Edrich said: "The skipper of the boat found that the engine of his yacht would not start when he wanted to return to the yacht club after sailing on the River Parrett.

"He did the right thing by requesting a tow from the lifeboat, which had just been recovered after an exercise.

"The casualty vessel was soon safely berthed at the sailing club and the lifeboat stood down."

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

MISSION: Atlantic 85 lifeboat 'Doris Day and Brian' (pic: RNLI/Mike Lang)

Doris Day and Brian was brought back to the lifeboat station for wash down and sanitising by RNLI volunteer shore and boat crew members.

Burnham's lifeboat station has been operational since December 2003, and while the ability to fundraise has been severely reduced during the Covid-19 lockdowns, the lifeboats have still been launched 24/7 to save lives at sea.

More information on the RNLI can be found at www.burnham-on-searnli.org.uk and www.rnli.org.uk.