Exmouth and Teignmouth RNLI volunteers assist lone sailor in difficulty

Teignmouth lifeboat received a request to launch the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat the Two Annes at 1.57pm. The volunteer crew reached the casualty and vessel quickly and considered it was at risk of being driven ashore. Due to the size of the vessel and sea conditions, the crew requested the assistance of the Exmouth Shannon class lifeboat. The male casualty was transferred to the Teignmouth lifeboat and was taken to the Teignmouth boathouse.

Exmouth’s Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn launched at 2.35pm and arrived on scene, half a mile east of Teignmouth bar at 2.50pm. The yacht had suffered rudder damage and lost its steering ability. Within five minutes, an Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteer was put on board to supervise the tow after the skipper of the casualty vessel was transferred ashore after suffering sickness.                                                

Exmouth Shannon class Navigator, Roger Jackson describes the scene:

‘The sea state was rough with at least a 3 metre swell, winds gusting 30 knots and once we arrived on scene, we discovered there was 2 feet of water inside the boat. The casualty was transferred to Teignmouth lifeboat station by their Crew volunteers who looked after him. It was too rough to tow the yacht into Teignmouth or Exmouth, so we took the yacht to a berth at Torquay Marina for safety.’   

The yacht was secured at Torquay Marina at 3.40pm, R and J Welburn returned to Exmouth beach at 5.20pm and was ready for service again at 6.30pm.

Notes to Editors

Photo: PR200416     

Teignmouth RNLI’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat transfers the casualty ashore whilst Exmouth’s Shannon class lifeboat takes over the casualty yacht tow to Torquay.

(credit: Exmouth RNLI)

For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected] or Anna Winston, Teignmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07743 182033.

Alternatively, please contact Emma Haines, South Division Public Relations Manager on 07786 668847.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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