A RECOVERY mission was launched after a RNLI tractor got stuck in the sand and swamped by the tide on New Brighton beach.

On Sunday (December 1) while launching a training exercise, New Brighton’s RNLI tractor became bogged down in the soft sand at the launch site.

The tractor, which is used to launch the lifeboat, became stuck after its left wheel became bogged.

Due to an incoming tide, volunteer crews were forced to abandon the tractor.

The tractor and carriage were then recovered at the low tide by the New Brighton RNLI team.

No RNLI volunteers were injured.

A RNLI spokesperson said: “Whilst launching on a routine training exercise on Sunday morning (Sunday 1 December) New Brighton RNLI’s tractor, used to launch the lifeboat, was bogged down in the soft sand at the launch site.

“The tractor’s left wheel became bogged and the tractor became stuck.

“With the safety of RNLI volunteers being our primary concern, it was not possible to recover the machinery on an incoming tide and in a scenario the volunteer crew train for, they were able to put their procedures into practice to abandon the tractor safely.

“The tractor and carriage were consequently recovered at the low tide by the New Brighton RNLI team. No RNLI volunteers were injured.

“The station’s A85 lifeboat was not affected and remained operational throughout, berthing at Pier Head for the duration of the recovery operation.”