The SARA Beachley lifeboats were called out by the Coastguard this afternoon. Both SARA Lifeboats 1 and 3 were launched around 2pm, to search for a missing man. Initially they were tasked to search along the Severn, upriver from Beachley; subsequently they were re-tasked to search in the lower part of the Wye. Thankfully the man was then located safe and well ashore, and our crew was stood down. Both the lifeboat helms had hot-footed from Brockweir, where they were due to support the Tintern Duck Race. Thus it was left to some our inland boat crew to operate SARA Rescue 5, providing safety cover for both spectators and ducks along with a small fleet of kayaks. With the low river levels and slow current, the duck race was still in progress when the two helms returned to Tintern having been stood down, so they did not miss out entirely.

Lifeboat shout in the early hours - at 00.13. The Coastguard  tasked us to investigate a vessel near the A48 Wye Bridge on the River Wye in Chepstow, following concern expressed by a caller. We were just about to launch SARA  Lifeboat 1 when we were stood down as the vessel and crew were declared safe. SARA 1 and crew were put back to bed!

Search Teams were called out to Ross-on-Wye at around midday. Longtown Mountain Rescue Team requested our support with a search which they, and West Mercia Search & Rescue, were undertaking for West Mercia Police.Team members from our Beachley, Tewkesbury, Upton, Wyre Forest and Cotswolds Stations assembled at Ross Rowing Club. A series of land areas and sections of the River Wye were searched by SARA, the latter both by boat and on foot, whilst the other teams searched different areas. We were once again supported by Search and Rescue Dog Association South Wales. Sadly during one of our searches, the body of a man was discovered. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man concerned.Many thanks to all who attended and to Ross Rowing Club for the use of their facilities.

At approx 03:30, we were tasked to assist a vessel which had run aground and required assistance. Due to the extremely low tide, we launched our plastic boat which is used for inland waters such as ponds and lakes. We joined RNLI Penarth and South Wales Fire & Rescue Service to bring the incident to a close.

SARA Lifeboat 14 was tasked again this afternoon. This time to assist someone stuck in the mud.Thankfully the person was able to self extract prior to our arrival.

SARA Lifeboat 14 was tasked to reports of a vessel sinking with unknown occupants. We immediately launched and made way to the vessel’s last know position. Following a brief search, it was confirmed a false alarm with good intent.

Around 1730 the SARA Beachley Lifeboat Crew were called out by the Coastguard to a report of a person in the water in the area of the M48 Severn Bridge. SARA Lifeboat 1 was launched rapidly, with two paramedics from the Ambulance HART Team on board as well as the SARA crew.With the assistance of the Police helicopter, the person was located and rescued onto the lifeboat, and then taken to the slipway. By then the Great Western Air Ambulance had landed at Beachley and RNLI Portishead was also on scene. The person was attended to by a combined SARA, RNLI, Ambulance and Helicopter HEMS team, before being taken to hospital.We try to train with other local emergency services as much as we can, and regularly take HART team members out in our lifeboats. This was an excellent example of all that multi-agency training demonstrating its value on a callout. Many thanks to all who responded.