A special event was held in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (March 22nd) to mark the launch of two new life-saving rescue hovercrafts.
BARB Search & Rescue held the ceremony to formally name the hovercrafts – first announced last autumn – that have been purchased following a legacy.
The new rescue hovercrafts will replace BARB’s previous crafts and will make rescues faster and safer than ever.
Two of the crafts were launched on Saturday in time for the start of the new tourist season and a third will follow later in the summer.
Deputy Lord–Lieutenant of Somerset Thomas Sheppard was in attendance at Saturday’s ceremony alongside Burnham and Highbridge’s Mayor Cllr Sharon Perry, plus Burnham’s MP Ashley Fox, and over 60 invited guests, including many from local rescue services.
Caroline Hall, the mother of five year-old Lelaina Hall who tragically died after getting stuck in mud on Berrow Beach in 2002, was present to name the new hovercraft, Spirit Of Lelaina III.
Lelaina’s sister, Elizabeth, was also on hand to name the second craft, Light Of Elizabeth III, continuing the positive life-saving legacy that came out of the tragedy.
BARB Chairman Mark Newman said the launch of the modern, new hovercrafts marked a “special milestone” for the charity and he thanked the charity’s volunteers for their dedication and service.
A blessing of the new hovercrafts was carried out by Rev Cheryl Hawkins, vicar of St Andrew’s Church, and the Mayor gave a speech in which she said the new hovercrafts would “enhance the important work carried out BARB’s volunteers who, in conjunction with Coastguards and the RNLI, give generously of their time to keep our coastline safe.”
The new high-specification hovercrafts are IH-6 Ivanoff hovercrafts, the same crafts as used by the Swedish Coastguard and border force agencies.
Rich’s Cider Farm at Watchfield near Highbridge kindly donated Somerset cider and apple juice for the naming ceremony, during which the bows of the new craft were doused with the drink.
A public open day will be held on Saturday April 5th from 11am-3pm when local residents will be invited to visit the BARB station on Burnham seafront to find out more about the new crafts and meet its volunteers.
