We were back on flood duty this evening, though thankfully only on standby.  At their request we deployed 3 flood teams to Monmouth Fire Station and 2 teams to Whitchurch, Cardiff, to support South Wales Fire and Rescue Service if there was any significant flooding.None of the various rivers rose as much as had been feared, so the teams were all stood down by 10pm.  Better safe than sorry.

The SARA Beachley lifeboats were called out late in the evening, to a tug which had lost power entering the River Wye.  SARA Lifeboats 1 and 3 worked together to recover the boat safely to the Beachley slip

Just before 11am, the SARA Sharpness crew were deployed to assist Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service with the search for a male, last seen entering the water near the old Prison in Gloucester. Once on scene, a boat was launched, and our crew conducted searches of the River Severn, alongside the Fire Service and Police Helicopter.

Sadly, a body was located during the search.

A continuation of the search near Cwmbran, for Gwent Police

The SARA Beachley lifeboat crew were called out around 2245, to support a multi-agency operation in Chepstow.  SARA Lifeboat 3 was launched, right at the bottom of tide, and proceeded to the River Wye.  Thankfully the situation was resolved before long, and the lifeboat was stood down at 2320.  The crew then had a challenging recovery to get the boat back onto the trailer, with the end of the slipway exposed, before they could turn the kit around and get back home.

SARA Newport were tasked by Gwent Police to assist with a continuatin of the search near Cwmbran

Notwithstanding the flood relief work overnight, we were called out late morning to support Gloucestershire Police with a missing person search in the Brockworth area, near Gloucester.  

Land search teams from SARA stations at Tewkesbury, Beachley and Cotswolds, plus colleagues from Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group, and a water team from SARA Sharpness all attended.  Teams searched all afternoon.  With nothing found, the search was suspended at 6.30pm.

We were preparing to deploy again the following morning when it was reported that the missing person had thankfully been located safe overnight.

Many thanks to all who responded, and the Cheltenham Chase Hotel for their hospitality.