A coastguard team in North Somerset were alerted to some beach-goers who decided to have a picnic out at sea over the bank holiday weekend. Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team had concerns for those at sea and were rung several times by members of the public who dialled 999.
According to coastguards, two pleasure crafts were boarded and headed out to a sand bar that had become exposed at low tide in Burnham-on-Sea. The boaters decided to set up for a picnic on the sand bar at the peak of the low tide, they say.
Concern was raised for them as they were left exposed and at risk once the tide started coming back in. Coastguards kept a visual on them until they were back on board their pleasure cruisers and safe.
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A spokesperson for Burnham Coastguard Rescue described the incident and issued a warning to other beach attendees who may be considering the same thing. Writing on Facebook, they said: "There was a concern as the occupants had boarded their tenders and headed off to a sand bar that had become exposed at low tide leaving their main vessels anchored in the bay.
"As our team arrived and got a visual on them using binoculars it soon became clear that the pleasure craft occupants had decided it looked like a good spot for a picnic. They were seen just packing up their picnic basket and folding their blanket up and began heading back to the main craft as the tide was coming in and the sand bar was disappearing.
"We kept our visual on them until they were back onboard their pleasure cruisers and safe, they kept themselves busy until the tide was high enough to head off."
In a warning to other people, they added: "While the sand bar was firm and seemed okay to stand on, it's not something we recommend. As all persons were safe and well, we stood down and returned to the station.
"Thank you to those who were concerned and did the right thing in dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard."
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