Exmouth RNLI rescue two men in the water after dinghy capsizes
Inshore lifeboat George Bearman II launched at 12.40pm on 7 January after a member of the public called the UK Coastguard concerning two people in the water, off Belchers slipway in Exmouth.
The two men were calling for help after their dinghy capsized. It is believed they hit a wave and the boat started to fill with water. The conditions were a strong Easterly force 3/4 with confused sea conditions.
On scene within nine minutes, Crew volunteers found the casualties clinging to moored boat. It is estimated they were in the cold water, without lifejackets for 15 mins.
Helm, Ian Taylor described what happened:
‘We took the men to Exmouth Marina where Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance was waiting. The casualties were given warm showers & administered oxygen as both men were suffering from hypothermia & sea water ingestion. One seemed to recover straight away but the other was in a worse condition, so they were both taken to hospital by an ambulance for observation.’
After a search for their dinghy, George Bearman II returned to station and was ready for service again at 1.44pm.
Exmouth RNLI Community Safety Officer, Dave Littlefield advises:
‘Before using a boat in strong winds and tides, please ensure that you are wearing warm clothing and a suitable lifejacket, ideally one fitted with a crotch strap, hood, whistle and light. Take a means of communication: VHF radio on channel 16 or if using a mobile, phone 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.
‘If you can postpone your sailing in weather that could prove a risk to yourself, please do not go on the water, as there is no point in risking your lives and that of our lifeboat crews.’
Notes to Editors
For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected] or
Carrie Garrad, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789
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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