Exmouth RNLI volunteers rescue two men aground in the river Exe

Arriving on scene at 10.50am, Crew volunteers asked if the casualties were in need of medical assistance. One of the casualties was a diabetic and needed insulin within the hour. Acting quickly because of this and the speed of the ebbing tide, Crew streamed an anchor and transferred the casualties on board the D class lifeboat quickly. The two men were dropped off at Exmouth Marina and George Bearman II was ready for service again back at the station, at 11.28am.

Helm, David Preece commented:

‘We gave the casualties safety advice as only one of the men had a lifejacket on.

‘When we arrived back at station, we heard how the casualties had called our shop first for help and our volunteers who were preparing to open, advised them to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Please do not call the lifeboat station or shop as there may not be anyone there.

‘This situation wasted valuable time. If our pagers had been set off a little earlier, we may have been able to tow the yacht off the sandbank near the lorry park. As a result, we had to leave their yacht in the river and wait for a local boat yard company to recover it in the next tide.

‘As soon as you find yourself, or see someone who may be in difficulty, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. They task us accordingly and we are called to the lifeboat station by our pagers.’

Notes to Editors

Photos: (Credit: Exmouth RNLI)

PR291018 Recovery of George Bearman II

For more information please contact Emma Tarling on 07837 810082 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or email [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.