Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat crews have been trialling a newly-laid beach launch area this week which will allow quicker and safer launches.
Work to install a series of made from hardwood timber planks known as bog mats on the beach has been completed, as pictured here.
As recently featured here, the mats have been tied together and linked to form a continuous platform.
They have been laid onto the surface of the beach and weighted down to create a new hardwood surface five metres wide and 50 metres long, which also distributes the weight of the RNLI’s launching carriage and specialised tractor.
The work will enable the charity’s lifeboats to access the sea at any state of the tide, giving them 24-hour cover.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies said: “‘We still have further trails to carry out over the forthcoming months with our bigger tractor unit so please feel free to approach any of the crew with any questions you may have.”
Lifeboat training co-ordinator and driver Lyndon Baker added: “In addition to the enhanced launch capability, the mats improve safety by providing firm and consistent terrain to drive upon. This is important and very reassuring to the shore crew and especially to the tractor driver in poor weather, when speed is of the essence and you can’t see where you’re going!”
It previously took up to eight minutes to travel to the previous lifeboat launching area at low water, located near Allendale Road at the northern end of The Esplanade.
Meanwhile, the RNLI crew has this week presented a flat screen TV to the local winner of a photo competition at their recent open day. The winner was Becky Hewlitt, a local RNLI supporter.
Pictured: Work to install the new bog mats on Burnham beach for the lifeboat to launch (pics Roger Burgess and Helen Brodie)
