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Both Exmouth lifeboats launch on service as boat jumble sale starts

Lifeboats News Release

On the morning of 7 April, Solent Coastguard tasked both lifeboats to search for a missing person in the river Exe, near Imperial Recreation ground. Inshore D class lifeboat George Bearman II launched at 9.17am and Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn launched at 9.26am.

Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn launching on service in front of crowds at the event

Exmouth RNLI

Exmouth's all-weather lifeboat launching on service

Crew volunteers, members of the public and the Community Safety team were busy setting up stalls; the Fundraising Events team were making bacon baps and hot drinks to raise money to help save lives at sea, when the call for assistance came through. 19 stall holders had given a donation of £10 each to sell their boat and watersport jumble, filling both boat halls and lined the esplanade along the seafront. Devon and Somerset Fire Service attended with their engine, Exmouth Coastguard had also been tasked to search, so could not attend.

The three-hour event raised over £1,600 and was organised by the Fundraising Events team. Deputy Coxswain, Roger Jackson spent over two weeks arranging collections in the community, following the appeal for jumble. Of the total, over £800 was raised by selling generous donations.

The Community Safety Team checked 10 lifejackets, condemning three unfit for purpose. Shop volunteers were busy, taking £477.45 – the highest daily figure this year. The last time a boat jumble sale was held five years ago, £1,006 was raised.

Roger Jackson praised the volunteers:

‘What a great event! We haven’t had this event for five years and it’s so touching of the generosity of people. We had some wonderful donations and I would like to thank everybody who kindly donated jumble to us, as well as supporting the day. A massive thank you to all involved.’

Both lifeboats were stood down, together with Teignmouth RNLI, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Beer, Police and Coastguard helicopters at around midday, but no casualty was found.

Photos: (Credit - Exmouth RNLI)

PR070419-1 Crew having a brew and bap after the 3 hour search

PR070419-2 Community Safety Officer, Dave Littlefield checking a lifejacket

PR070419-3 Shannon class lifeboat R and J Welburn launches during event


Notes to editors

Exmouth RNLI are currently recruiting a number of shore-based volunteer roles. Applications need to be made online, following the relevant links, by 1 June:

Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM): https://bit.ly/2u7XnS5

Deputy Launching Authority (DLA): https://bit.ly/2u06VyK

(for equiries for both, please email [email protected])

Lifeboat Administrative Officer (LAO): https://bit.ly/2u3WxWQ

(for enquiries, please email [email protected])

Community Safety Advisers (CSA): https://bit.ly/2T0EDhp

(for enquiries, please email [email protected])

Fundraising Box Secretary: https://bit.ly/2Che3uS

(for enquiries, please email [email protected])

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The next RNLI lifejacket clinic will take place at NCI Open Day on 8 June.

Exmouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: www.exmouthlifeboat.org.uk


RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Emma Tarling, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or [email protected] or alternatively, Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Exmouth Fundraising Events team serving Crew volunteers in the boat hall after the three-hour search

Exmouth RNLI

Exmouth Crew treated to a brew and a bap after the three-hour search
Community Safety Officer, Dave Littlefield held a free lifejacket clinic

Exmouth RNLI

Exmouth Community Safety Officer checking a customer's lifejacket

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.