Incidents

We are tasked by the emergency services, including HM Coastguaard, Fire & Rescue, Police and the Ambulance Services. Our teams are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Below are the callouts that we have attended.

• River Severn Lydney 10-08-24

  Shortly before 1400, the SARA Sharpness lifeboat crew received an immediate tasking from Milford Haven Coastguard to launch, locate and assist a vessel aground on the River Severn between Sharpness and Lydney.

  SARA Lifeboat 4 launched and whilst conducting the search, received a second tasking to locate an overdue Sailing Dinghy.

  Shortly after, the crew located both a Sailing Dinghy and a Powerboat aground on the sands near Lydney with a total of 7 persons on board. It was confirmed that these vessels were both the overdue dinghy, and the grounded vessel.

  The vessels anchors were set, with a plan to relaunch on the evening tide and recover them back to shore. All crew were transported to Lydney Docks and handed over to HM Coastguard Chepstow.

  At 2100hrs, the SARA Sharpness crew launched again, recovered the anchored vessels and towed them back to shore for recovery.

  10th Aug 2024

  10th Aug 2024

• River Severn Oldbury 10-08-24

  Just after 14.00, the Coastguard alerted SARA Beachley to a sailing dinghy which was overdue in returning to Thornbury Sailing Club after a race. SARA Lifeboat 3 launched to conduct a search in the vicinity of Oldbury Power Station.

  Soon afterwards, we were informed that the sailor had returned safely to the club, and we were asked to investigate whether it was possible to recover the dinghy itself. Regrettably, due to the falling tide, that was not possible.

  SARA 3 returned to station just after 3pm and was made ready for future tasks.

  10th Aug 2024

  10th Aug 2024

• River Severn Beachley 06-08-24

  At 0945 the Coastguard asked us to attend a cabin cruiser with an engine fire, on the Severn in Slime Road, a stretch of water just upstream of Beachley.

  We launched SARA Lifeboat 1 from SARA Beachley and SARA Lifeboat 2 from SARA Sharpness. The fire had been extinguished shortly after the alert, but both lifeboats still attended and escorted the vessel under its own power on its remaining engine to Portishead. Both lifeboats then recovered to their own stations shortly after midday.

  Thanks to Portishead Marina for facilitating a quick entry and turnaround.

  6th Aug 2024

  6th Aug 2024

• Newport 05-08-24

  In the late evening, SARA Newport’s Lifeboat 14 requested to launch and hold position just south of the Millennium footbridge, to assist Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service with an ongoing incident near Clarence Place.
  The team was stood down with the incident resolved later that evening.

  5th Aug 2024

  5th Aug 2024

• River Severn M4 POB Bridge 01-08-24

  We were called by the Coastguard at 1750, to a yacht with engine trouble 2 miles south of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (RNLI Portishead’s launch tractor was being serviced). SARA Lifeboat 1 launched within 15 minutes and was on site with the casualty vessel 15 min later.

  The yacht was taken in tow back to Portishead Marina. A team effort with Bristol VTS helping with location and coordinating our tow across the mouth of Portisbury Dock, and Portishead Marina facilitated a very quick entry into the lock and return.

  1st Aug 2024

  1st Aug 2024

• Newent 30-07-24

  We were called out by Gloucestershire Constabulary at around 1730, to support a missing person search in the Newent area.

  Teams from SARA stations at Beachley, Sharpness, Upton, Wyre Forest, Cotswolds and Tewkesbury responded to the callout along with Gloucester Fire & Rescue Service. We were also supported by a search dog from SARDA(SW).

  A search of a lake and the area of woods and paths surrounding it was conducted, and with nothing found the teams were stood down at 23:00.

  Sadly, following further police searches, a body was recovered the following day. Our thoughts are with the friends and family at this time.

  30th Jul 2024

  30th Jul 2024

• Frampton-upon-Severn 15-07-24

  Shortly before 8pm, we were called out by Gloucestershire Constabulary for a high risk missing person.
  On arrival, Land and Water teams began a search of the Saul Junction area, along with Police and Coastguard assets.

  Shortly before 10pm the missing lady was located alive and un-injured by a Coastguard team, and handed over to the ambulance service for further care

  15th Jul 2024

  15th Jul 2024

• Wintours Leap, Chepstow 06-07-24

  Around midday, we were called to the area of Lancaut Nature Reserve to assist the Police with a search for a missing man.

  Working with Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, and colleagues from the SARA stations at Tewkesbury, Cotswolds and Upton, teams searched the nature reserve. SARA Lifeboat 3 was launched and conducted a search of the river, and the Police helicopter also joined the search.

  Sadly, after a period a body was discovered by one of the search parties in woodland below Wintours Leap. In liaison with the police, the body was retrieved from the woodland. A technical rope system, using our Larkin Frame, was set up and then used to recover it to the roadside.

  Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the local man concerned.

  6th Jul 2024

  6th Jul 2024

• Saltwells 03-07-24

  We were once again contacted by West Midlands Police to assist with a missing person search in the Saltwells Nature Reserve area.

  After police investigation, the search area was narrowed down and crew from SARA Wyre Forest deployed to search a wooded section alongside our colleagues from West Mercia Search & Rescue.

  As crew were searching the woods, the missing gentleman was located safe and well by police at a near by address. Crews from both volunteer organisations stood down and returned home.

  3rd Jul 2024

  3rd Jul 2024

• Saltwells, Dudley 30-06-24

  We were contacted by West Midlands Police just after 11am to assist with a missing person investigation in the Saltwells Area of Dudley.
  Crew from Wyre Forest, Tewkesbury, West Mercia Search & Rescue and Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team were all enroute to assist when the missing lady was located and given assistance by the ambulance.

  All SAR assets were stood down and the volunteer crews resumed their Sundays.

  30th Jun 2024

  30th Jun 2024