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The Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat

Service Launches 2008

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Launch DateLaunch NoReason for LaunchService ProvidedPersons AssistedLives SavedTotal Assisted since 1996Total Calls since 1996
17-Dec20Called to assist boat aground near Portishead Marina EntranceBoat was high and dry, lifeboat could not get close. Stood by on next tide, casualty refloated safely.2 317238
18-Nov19Requested to assist in search for possible suicide from Clifton Suspension BridgeCarried out search from Sea Mills to Clifton Suspension Bridge - nothing found.   237
16-Nov18Tasked to investigate an upturned hull in the river Avon.Discovered a 2.5m dinghy with the name Nimrod II. Dinghy taken on board and returned for storage.   236
15-Nov17Tasked to yacht “Haven” aground off Sand Point.Yacht refloated on flooding tide, lifeoat escorted yacht to the mouth of the River Avon.2 315235
15-Nov16Tasked to a 17ft motor boat adrift off Portishead Point. The casualty had no means of anchoring and was very close to going aground. Lifeboat recovered casualty from going aground before towing back to the Marina where it was too late to lock-in. Casualty was made safe by securing the boat to a vacant mooring in the “Hole”. Returned later to tow into Marina1 313234
05-Nov15Called to small Cabin Cruiser with engine trouble off the Mouth of the River Avon. Casualty managed to get into the Portishead Hole against the Dock entrance wall. Secured lines to casualty firstly to get her off the wall and make safe from the rush of water when the lock gates opened then secured tow to maneuver casualty into the lock.1 312233
15-Aug14Called for a capsized dinghy with persons in water near ShirehamptonStood down by Coastguard when it was discovered the local sailing club were carrying on capsize drills   232
10-Aug13Tasked by Coatsguard to assist Redrock IV a 45ft fin keel yacht with a rope around his prop off Portbury.Yacht taken in tow and towed into the Marina Lock. Lifeboat returned to Slip.5 311231
06-Aug12Called and requested to resume search for suicide following reports of a possible sighting.Lifeboat conducted a search of the river from Sea Mills towards Clifton, and located the body of a male. Body recovered and taken to Shirehapton, where it was passed over to the police and coastguard.   230
06-Aug11Called to search for suspected suicide from Clifton Suspension Bridge.Area searched in conjunction with police helicopter. Nothing found.   229
04-Aug10Report of two vessels in trouble at the entrance to the river Avon, one with engine failure and one with a rope around its prop; both vessels had been taken under tow by a Pill Hobblers vessel.Lifeboat launched to assist as necessary, eventually taking under tow the smaller of the two vessels towing it to Portishead Marina.1 306228
20-Jul9Tasked to investigate a 14’ boat thought to be in trouble. Another vessel indicated that a 28' yacht was by Portishead pier and had their anchor rope around her prop.1st attempt to tow her head to sea and tide failed as Lifeboat was getting swamped, tow rope cut from casualty. 2nd attempt allowed the anchor rope to be buoyed and cut. Lifeboat towed casualty to safer anchorage. On turn of tide casualties crew confirmed that they would get a tow from another club boat.2 305227
19-Jul8Two dinghies reported by member of public appear to be in difficulties off Clevedon near Ladye Bay. One has a crew member sitting on the bow and the other dinghy could be towing it.Lifeboat arrived on scene and found that all dinghy crew members were safely ashore in Ladye Bay, one dinghy had been holed.   226
07-Jun7Called to assist motor cruiser with engine failure in Redcliffe BayPut to anchor due to falling tide. Relaunched later and towed to Portishead Marina3 303225
05-May6Called to assist rubber dinghy that had come up channel from Clevedon, last known position near Denny IslandFound dinghy returning towards slipway - escoted back and treated the crew to a few words of advise3 300224
03-Apr5Called to investigate small dinghy in the river Avon under the M5 bridgeFound dinghy by, pulled onto foreshore and passed to Port of Bristol Police   222
18-Feb4Requested by Avon and Somerset Police to stand by to incident at Clifton Suspension BridgeJust prior to launch, boat stood down as incident had been resolved by Police   223
14-Feb3Called to attend to 30' motor cruiser experiencing engine failure in Layde Bay.Took local engineer who was able to repair engine in situ. Lifeboat escorted casulty to Portishead Marina1 297222
13-Feb2Whilst on exercise, the Lifeboat was called to investigate an upturned dinghy. Dinghy derelict, no persons near by.   221
06-Jan1Called to confirmed sighting of body in water close to Clevedon buoy, first informant at location.Body recovered from water close to Avon buoy and returned to boathouse   220