Man who had become ‘disorientated’ at sea rescued by Exmouth and Sidmouth lifeboat teams
Exmouth inshore lifeboat George Bearman II towing the yacht. Picture: Sidmouth Lifeboat - Credit: Sidmouth Lifeboat
A man on board a seven metre yacht was rescued on Thursday (May 31) after becoming disorientated following two days at sea.
A man who became disorientated after being lost at sea for two days was rescued by emergency services on Thursday (May 31).
It is believed that the lone sailor, thought to be in his 60s, had gone for two days and two nights without food and drink. He had become unsure of his location.
Both Sidmouth Lifeboat and Exmouth RNLI were called out and worked together to tow the man, on board a seven-metre yacht, to a mooring in the River Exe.
Exmouth RNLI helm Andy Stott said: “The casualty had been at sea for two days and two nights in poor weather conditions.
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“He had lost use of all electrics, his hand-held VHF radio had been dropped into the sea during that period and he had become unsure of his location, especially in the poor visibility.”
It is understood that the man thought he was further east than he was prompting Sidmouth Lifeboat to be called out.
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A passenger boat captain heard the distress call and rang the coastguard.
Exmouth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat George Bearman II was launched at around 1.25pm. Sidmouth Lifeboat had already been tasked to search for the yacht and established a tow.
This was taken over by the Exmouth lifeboat crew and the man was towed to the River Exe.
The sailor was taken to the lifeboat HQ in Exmouth to be further assessed by paramedics.
