Another busy week for Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat station
As well as rescuing a mother and daughter cut off by the tide (see notes to editors), both Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboats were tasked to a further four incidents last week
On Thursday 2 August, just after both Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboats had launched on exercise, they were both diverted to separate incidents.
The all weather lifeboat (ALB) The Barry and Peggy High Foundation was tasked to assist a 6.5 metre sailing vessel with one person on board which had suffered complete electrical failure 7 miles north west of Ilfracombe. The lifeboat immediately made its way to the scene and towed the vessel back to Ilfracombe harbour.
Meanwhile, the inshore lifeboat (ILB) Deborah Brown II was tasked to reports of an injured child at Barricane beach, near Woolacombe. The lifeboat immediately made its way to the scene, but was stood down before it arrived as the child was safely on his way to hospital.
Both boats were then recovered and made ready for service – only for the ILB to be paged again just after 2am. The volunteer crew were tasked to assist the police with an incident near Combe Martin. Fortunately the situation was resolved quickly and the lifeboat returned to station at just after 2:30am.
The ILB was then tasked again on Friday 3 August at 11am to reports from Ilfracombe harbour master than an unmanned yacht was dragging its anchor in the outer harbour. The lifeboat crew cleared the anchor rope from the keel of the yacht and reset its anchor.
Leigh Hanks, RNLI mechanic at Ilfracombe, said:
‘This was another very busy week for us here at the station and we were again called to a variety of incidents. We ask that anyone planning on visiting the coast remembers to respect the water. Always check the tide times and weather conditions before setting off, whatever you plan on doing, and always carry a means of calling for help.’
Notes to Editors:
· Link for press release ‘Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat rescues mother and daughter cut off by the tide’: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2018/august/01/ilfracombe-rnli-lifeboat-rescues-mother-and-daughter-cut-off-by-the-tide
RNLI media contactsFor more information contact Jessica Putt, Media Engagement Placement, at [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager, at [email protected]
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.
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.