Ilfracombe RNLI launch to rescue three people and dog cut off by tide
Both Ilfracombe lifeboats were launched on Friday 2 August to rescue three people and their dog cut off by the tide at White Pebble Beach near Ilfracombe.
The three people had been visiting the beach and had climbed some rocks to enjoy a BBQ when they found themselves cut off by the rapidly rising tide and unable to return to the beach. The people were spotted by a member of the public at the top of the cliff who called the Coastguard.
The Ilfracombe Shannon class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) The Barry and Peggy High Foundation and inshore lifeboat The Deborah Brown II were launched at 6.10 p.m. Sea conditions were calm with a slight swell and good visibility and the lifeboats arrived on scene only five minutes later.
The ALB stood by ready to provide support if needed whilst the inshore lifeboat made its way to the rocks where the people were stranded. The three people and their dog were assisted into the lifeboat. The lifeboat then took them safely back to the beach where they were met by the Coastguard who escorted them back up the hill. The lifeboats then returned to the lifeboat station where they were recovered ready for another service.
RNLI Volunteer Helm Gillian Cole says: ‘many people are unaware of the tidal range and speed on this part of the coast which can rise very quickly and catch people out. The high tide today was 9.7 metres which is one of the highest of the year. We would always recommend that people consult a tide timetable and be aware of the tides when walking around this part of the coast.’
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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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