LESS than 24 hours after demonstrating their skills to the public at their open day, the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) team put them to the test with a rescue.

On the afternoon of Monday 19th June the SARA Lifeboat 3 ’Swift and Bold’ was called out to go to the aid of a small motor boat which had suffered engine difficulties around the mouth of the River Wye.

The vessel had suffered a complete electrical outage so the SARA lifeboat towed the boat back to Beachley. The vessel had a crew of four who were all well equipped.

There they recovered the vessel using their own launch trailer, with the help of the Chepstow Coastguard.

The previous day (Sunday 18th June), the public were able to get a first hand look at SARA at the open day.

The volunteer organisation held a range of activities and demonstrations for those who came along.

More than a dozen of SARA’s volunteer crew were on hand throughout the day to inform visitors about the work they do.

There was a life boat rescue display which allowed families to explore SARA’s most important vessel.

They then got to see it in action with a lifeboat display and casualty recovery where a person acting as a casualty was dropped in the water and then rescued by the team.

The land search team also demonstrated their expertise with abseiling and rope skills demonstrations.