AN RNLI lifeboat that helped save 16 lives at sea towards the end of the nineteenth century has been commemorated at the Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Park.

A caravan at the popular tourist resort has been renamed in honour of the John Godfrey Morris, which became Burnham RNLI's second boat when it was built in 1887.

Haven Holidays has worked with the RNLI, its chosen charity partner, since 2018. 

Between January 1 and August 28, the Burnham-on-Sea resort raised £5,541.85 for the local station's training and equipment.

Fundraisers include the RNLI Mayday Mile, charity car washes, race nights, barbecues, and other games and activities.

Michael Beck, the general manager of Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Park, said the company is “really proud” to commemorate the John Godfrey Morris. 

“The safety of our guests is paramount,” he said.

“Many of our parks are right next to the coastline, so we know that a lot of our guests do go in the sea.

“We want to make sure that they’re all aware of what the RNLI do and the lives they save.

“They do amazing work and we’re really happy to support them. They are the superstars, they save lives.”

Somerset County Gazette: RNLI volunteers Daren Rogers, John Dewing, Dan Fear, Jamie Webster, and Phil Counsell outside the newly named caravan. Picture: Steve RichardsonRNLI volunteers Daren Rogers, John Dewing, Dan Fear, Jamie Webster, and Phil Counsell outside the newly named caravan. Picture: Steve Richardson (Image: Steve Richardson)

Phil Counsell, the RNLI launch authority in Burnham, added: “The RNLI is purely supported by voluntary donations, so we’re really happy to be able to support this initiative from Haven.

“They have managed to raise an enormous amount of money to support us. It’s a great honour to see that plaque up on the side of the caravan.

“All the money received by the RNLI goes into training and kit.

“It’s costing about £70,000 to run Burnham lifeboat station alone, and that’s with a purely voluntary crew.

“It’s great to get this sort of quantity of money in to help us continue saving lives at sea.”

The John Godfrey Morris was involved in the rescue missions of four stricken ships in her 15 years of service.

On March 3, 1897, the lifeboat and its crew of ten oarsmen battled through high winds to reach a stricken Norwegian cargo ship, the SS Nornen. 

Somerset County Gazette: Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Park general manager Michael Beck with RNLI mascot Stormy Sam. Picture: Steve RichardsonHaven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Park general manager Michael Beck with RNLI mascot Stormy Sam. Picture: Steve Richardson

RNLI volunteers managed to save the ship's 10 members and the captain's dog, a Great Dane. 

The dramatic rescue is remembered on the honours board at the entrance of Burnham-on-Sea RNLI.

The remains of the SS Nornen can still be seen when the tide goes out at Berrow Sands.