Exmouth volunteers launch to two boats aground in river Exe
At 3.11pm on Sunday 11 September, inshore lifeboat George Bearman was tasked to assist a yacht with two adults and its rescue boat with four children and one adult on board, both aground in the Exe estuary.
In windy conditions, Crew volunteers were on scene by 3.40pm to assess the situation.
Helmsman, Scott Ranft describes the scene:
‘The inshore lifeboat was unable to get closer than 300m to the rescue boat with the children on board and the mud was knee deep so we couldn’t walk over to carry them off. We managed to reach the yacht further downstream but they were also aground. We gathered all their contact numbers and passed them to the Coastguard to continue the rescue. We had to leave the scene promptly to avoid grounding ourselves.’
George Bearman returned to station at 5.10pm and the casualties were rescued by Coastguard helicopter Rescue 106.
Notes to Editors
For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.