Burnham-On-Sea RNLI is starting a project this week to build a new surface on which to launch lifeboats from the town’s beach.
Some 50 metres of ‘bog mats’ are being laid on the lower section of the beach next to Burnham’s jetty to make it easier for the crews to launch lifeboats at low tide, avoiding the mud.
The work will be carried out at low tide throughout this week.
An RNLI spokesman said the bog mats are made from hardwood timber planks tied together to form individual mats, and then linked to form a continuous platform over long lengths.
“They are often used for temporary road surfacing on construction projects where the ground conditions cannot safely support the weight of vehicles. The mats are simply laid onto the surface of the beach and weighted down. As the bog mats are not permanently fixed, they can be removed at any time.”
The spokesman added: “This project has been planned for some time, and all necessary permits/consultations are in place. Being able to launch 24/7 is a high priority for us.”
The organisation says it sees the mats as a short-term solution to the problem.
