Donate now

RNLI Torbay and Salcombe lifeboats work together to rescue scalloper

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat Volunteer Spirit was tasked at around 9.05am on Tuesday 6 February in freezing conditions to assist a Brixham based vessel which had lost power out at sea.

RNLI/Vicki Bowen

RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat approaches Brixham breakwater with the fishing vessel under tow

RNLI Salcombe all-weather lifeboat had earlier launched at around 6.45am to assist the 12 metre scalloper which suffered engine failure 6 miles south east of Prawle Point, and had taken the vessel under tow towards Torbay. The RNLI Torbay lifeboat crew were then tasked by HM Coastguard just after 9am to rendezvous with Salcombe's all-weather lifeboat Baltic Exchange III close to the Mewstone (outside Dartmouth) and take over towing the stricken vessel.

Shortly after launching, Torbay relief lifeboat Volunteer Spirit and her crew arrived on scene to meet with their Salcombe colleagues and attach a tow line to the fishing vessel, enabling her to continue the journey under tow into safe mooring at Brixham Harbour, where she arrived around 10.45am.

This collaboration between two Devon lifeboat stations was another great example of neighbouring crews working together to ensure safety at sea.


Notes to editors

Torbay Lifeboat Station Key Facts:


RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Victoria Bowen, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07794 043 428: [email protected] or contact Carrie Garrad, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07786 668 847: [email protected] or alternatively RNLI Public Relations at Poole HQ on 01202 336 789.

RNLI/Mark Criddle

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member looks on from the deck during the tow

RNLI/Mark Criddle

View of the fishing vessel with tow line attached from inside Volunteer Spirit

RNLI/Vicki Bowen

RNLI Torbay lifeboat and the Brixham scalloper approach safe mooring

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.