Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Rescue team given funding for floods craft
HUNDREDS of homes were evacuated, villagers became isolated and the army was called in – the 2014 flooding of large parts of the Somerset Levels was described as a ‘tragedy’ by the visiting Prince of Wales.
Now, four years on, thousands of pounds have been given to volunteer search teams in the South West to deal with inshore flooding, including Burnham-based BARB Search & Rescue.
The charity, which operates out of the town’s RNLI station, has received almost £20,000 from the Department for Transport for an Arancia-class Inshore Rescue Craft and trailer plus equipment such as dry suits, throwlines and boots.
In 2002, readers of the Western Daily Press gave the charity £115,000 for a new hovercraft following the death of five-year-old Lelaina Hall in the mud at Berrow.
Mark Newman, chairman of BARB, said: “BARB helped in the flooding of 2014 – but this new craft and equipment will allow us to reach incidents quicker than we ever have before.
“The boat we currently use for inshore is a smaller rigid boat which is not ideal for inshore flooding. This [new craft and equipment] is a bit of a game-changer when it comes to dealing with such incidents.”
He added: “There have been no incidents since 2014, but with the ever unpredictable weather we always have to be ready for the worst.”
Work to protect areas of Somerset from flooding is still ongoing.
A £100m tidal barrier for Bridgwater is planned across the River Parrett by 2024. Improvements will also be made to existing flood defences downstream along with new defences on the river’s flood plain.
Many blamed a lack of dredging, as well as flood defences, along the rivers Parrett and Tone for the flooding in 2014, which at its peak covered some 27,420 acres of land.
Mr Newman, who works as a civil servant, said: “Many may think we deal solely with sea incidents, but we are a 24-hour on call emergency service which can be called out to inshore issues.
“This funding is of great help.”
The group has a core of 30 volunteers and has to raise £50,000 a year. It is why the money raised by Western Daily Press readers has proved so vital. The £115,000 paid for a hovercraft named the Spirit of Lelaina. Eighteen months ago this was replaced with the Spirit of Lelaina 2. The charity also has another hovercraft called the Light of Elizabeth.
Despite Christmas usually being a busy time for the charity, Mr Newman said there had yet to be a callout. But so far this year, the team has dealt with 50 incidents, which range from people getting stuck in the mud or missing people searches.
The charity was not the only one to benefit from the Department for Transport grant.
Under the Rescue Boat Grant Fund, Salisbury-based Serve On Ltd also received almost £20,000 for a Arancia Rescue Boat and equipment, Severn Area Rescue Association got almost £11,000 for new drysuits and radio helmets and Wiltshire Search & Rescue got £8,500 for a new boat motor and equipment.
Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Our rescue boat teams are the unsung heroes of the UK’s waterways. Their commitment and skill keeps people safe on and around our rivers, lakes and inshore areas.
“Lives have been saved as a result of this scheme and our additional funding will ensure that these tireless volunteers and charities can buy the craft, equipment, and other resources they need to provide vital round-the-clock services.”