Severn Unit at Tewkesbury Big Weekend

For the first time in four years the Tewkesbury Big Weekend took place and many people thronged the town and the riverside.

It was a very popular Community event which was also part of the Jubilee Celebrations.

The Severn Unit primarily had responsibility for safety on the river during the weekend and this year was called into action five times to give assistance to boats.

The Unit also had to rescue a crew of five from a sinking Katakanu which started to take on water as it passed the finishing line after coming first in the racing.

All crew members were safely taken off the craft into the MVS Rigiflex safety boat which was on hand and then towed the stricken boat to the quay.

HOU Nic Price said, “Everyone played their part to the full, from manning the comms, the first aid post, maintaining safety patrols, leading the procession of boats, running our recruitment stand and the duck race.
It was all carried out with the professionalism that we train regularly to achieve.
I consider this to be Severn Unit’s most successful deployment to date.”