It was a busy Bank Holiday weekend for Exmouth RNLI, with two call-outs, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
The first on Saturday (May 25) involved both lifeboats after a lone sailor had fallen overboard, followed by Sunday’s shout to a vessel which had lost power with five people onboard.
On Saturday, following the activation of a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Exmouth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat George Bearman II launched within five minutes with three crew, followed rapidly by five crew on the all-weather lifeboat.
The coastguard also broadcast a Mayday alert to all nearby vessels requesting any possible assistance. Both lifeboats made their way to the location, along with a passing private motor vessel. The motor vessel arrived at the scene first and pulled the casualty from the water, he was then transferred, via the inshore lifeboat, to the safety to the all-weather lifeboat.
Once the crew were happy that the casualty required no further medical attention, they made their way back to his sailing vessel and deployed a crew member onboard to help get it back under control.
The casualty skipper then felt he was well enough to rejoin his vessel, so accompanied by a crew member and escorted by the lifeboat, everyone made their way back to the River Exe and the boat’s original mooring.
Exmouth RNLI volunteer Deputy Coxswain, Roy Stott said: "It was a great outcome for everyone involved, as when a person is in the water things can very quickly deteriorate with tragic consequence.
"The casualties life was almost certainly saved by the combination of his safety equipment including his Personal Locator Beacon and lifejacket. It gave us an accurate location of where he was, whilst keeping him afloat until help arrived.
"Also a sincere thanks to the skipper of the motor vessel that responded and pulled the individual from the water. A real one crew effort and a life saved."
On Sunday at around 12.40pm, Exmouth’s all-weather lifeboat was launched after a 55ft motor vessel that had issued a PanPan call having broken down 26 miles east of Berry Head.
Upon arrival, the volunteer crew found a problem onboard which prevented the engine from operating. Given the challenging weather conditions with 3m swells and the vessel not able to use its’ engine, there was no way for the family onboard (two adults and three children) to return safely to shore. They were also suffering with sea sickness. So the Coxswain decided that towing to the nearest point of safety was the most appropriate course of action.
It was a lengthy 26m trip back to Torquay at a speed of four knots, taking more than five hours. Upon arrival, the vessel was safely secured alongside and the crew then made the journey back to Exmouth to refuel and prepare the lifeboat again for service. The very tired volunteers finally left the lifeboat station after a gruelling 11 hours from the first page.
Some of the volunteer lifeboat crew who responded to the call on Sunday were taking part in a cricket match at the Exmouth Cricket Club Charity Day. There were still enough volunteers to muster a team to play and heavy showers did not deter them, as they’re well used to being out in poor weather conditions.
All proceeds from the event were being donated to the lifesaving charity. Everyone at Exmouth RNLI thanks Exmouth Cricket Club for arranging the day and to the other cricket teams who joined from Exmouth Cricket Club, Exmouth Rowing Club and Exmouth Rugby Club. It was a family friendly day with live music, bars, food and included free cricket coaching for local children.
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