SEVERN Area Rescue Association (SARA) had a busy August, rescuing four people and three drifting boats from the waters of the Severn and Wye.

The SARA Lifeboat One Jim Hewitt responded to three separate incidents – on August 3, the crew rescued a man drifting in the dark in heavy seas after his dingy suffered engine failure. 

On August 19 the crew recovered an empty boat sighted by workmen on the M48 bridge. The boat, which appeared to have simply come loose and floated on the tide, was towed back to Beachley. 

On Sunday, August 28 another drifting boat was reported, with three crew aboard. It had suffered engine failure and the SARA lifeboat located it close to the mouth of the River Wye. 

Mervyn Fleming, commander at SARA’s Beachley and Newport lifeboat and rescue stations said: “This boat was also towed to Beachley, where the engine was restarted with SARA’s emergency battery booster pack. 

On the Severn, which has the second highest tidal range in the world, the outgoing tide can run at up to 12 knots particularly where the estuary narrows near Beachley.  When a boat drifts here it is in real trouble, so I am thankful my crew resolved all

three incidents so rapidly without anyone being injured or worse.” 

All three incidents were also attended by the Chepstow Coastguard.