Lifeguards at Burnham-On-Sea and Berrow beaches have finished their season after a busy few months keeping them safe.
The RNLI lifeguards worked alongside Sedgemoor District Council’s team of beach wardens and clean surroundings staff.
They have been on the beach since July 8th doing full time safety patrols and will be back on duty next summer.
Sedgemoor District Council funds the RNLI Lifeguards to provide an additional service at Burnham and Berrow Beaches during the busy summer holiday period.
They work alongside the Sedgemoor-employed Beach Wardens and work together to maintain beach safety. Before they started on their beach duties the lifeguards visited 19 local schools to make sure that local children know about beach safety and spoke to 3,000 children ahead of the summer season.
A Sedgemoor District Council spokesman said: “We want people to enjoy the beach safely. Although the RNLI lifeguards have departed for the winter, we would urge beach users to take extra care and be mindful of the messages in the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign. We want you to enjoy the water, but we also want you to recognise its dangers and never underestimate its power, especially during the stormy season.”
Sedgemoor’s beach wardens have been on duty since the end of March and will be on duty until the end of September at Burnham-On-Sea and Berrow beaches. All beach wardens have first aid training and beach/jetty safety training.
All beach users are urged to follow safety signage and listen to any advice and warning information issued by Sedgemoor’s Beach Wardens– the staff are there to ensure your safety.
Luke Penman, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: “We have had the busiest season since we started here in Sedgemoor with many major first aids, minor first aids and the daily prevention work that we carry out to stop beach users from potentially getting stuck in the mud at mid-low tides.”
“This year lifeguards also had to deal with the unusual situation of an explosive device being found on one of the beaches. They responded professionally to assist the other emergency response agencies involved and keep beach users safe throughout the incident.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sedgemoor District Council for using the RNLI to provide a lifeguard service in the area. We have also had an excellent relationship with the beach wardens who have been present on both beaches this season and would like to thank them for their support.”
