The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) is an independent Inshore Rescue Boat and Land Search organisation covering the Severn Estuary, upper reaches of the River Severn, and the rivers Wye, Bristol Avon, Tewkesbury Avon and Usk.
There are very few organisations which operate like ours, from inshore lifeboats dedicated to HM Coastguard, to looking for missing persons for the Police. Each of our stations are in tune with the needs of their communities and the difference in equipment reflect the challenging environment they work in.
Your local SARA Station is the Wyre Forest team, covering Worcestershire, Shropshire, Southwest Birmingham and the Black Country along with parts of Warwickshire and Herefordshire.
We have 6 stations in total; these consist of Beachley, Newport, Sharpness, Tewksbury, Wyre Forest and most recently Upton. At Wyre Forest Station we have 2 Land Rover Defenders, 3 inshore rescue boats, 1 Incident Support Unit van and a flooding support trailer to carry our kit on DEFRA duties. We currently have 19 operational crew ready to be called out 24/7, they also have 27 support crew to assist in the day-to-day running of the team.
6 Stations - Open 24 hours a day 365 days a year
Beachley
Beachley
Newport
Newport
Sharpness
Sharpness
Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury
Wyre Forest
Wyre Forest
Upton
Upton
Beachley FB
Newport FB
Sharpness FB
Tewkesbury FB
Wyre Forest FB
Upton FB
SARA are called by the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services to emergencies requiring our specialist skills in hazardous environments.
Our Sharpness and Beachley Teams are also declared Lifeboat Stations for HM Coastguard, responding to those in distress on the dangerous waters of the Severn Estuary.
During flooding and other events, SARA has often operated away from its core area to provide rescue services when requested.
Typical incidents our crews attend include boats or persons in difficulty, search for missing persons, animal rescue and flood relief / support. SARA is proud to be a part of Mountain Rescue England & Wales along with being an established Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Teaching Centre with its own instructors able to train and certify crew and members ofthe public in RYA Powerboat Level 1 & 2 and Safety Boat.
The membership of our team is made up entirely from volunteers, with no paid staff. As a registered charity, all funding is raised by way of donations.