Ilfracombe inshore lifeboat launched to assist fishing vessel

The fishing boat with two people on board had just been purchased and was making its first voyage with its new owner on passage from Padstow to Cardiff and was two miles from Ilfracombe when its engine overheated and failed. The skipper called the Coastguard for help and a nearby Briggs Marine survey vessel the Southern Guardian heard the call on the radio and came to their assistance and towed the fishing boat to just outside Ilfracombe harbour.

The volunteer crew launched the D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) The Deborah Brown II and made their way quickly to assist the 25 foot long fishing boat. The crew reached the fishing boat a few minutes later and a crew member boarded the vessel. They quickly released the towline from the survey vessel and secured a towline from the ILB to the bow and stern of the fishing vessel. The ILB then towed the fishing vessel alongside into the harbour where is was safely secured to the inner harbour wall as it was low tide.

The ILB then returned to station and was recovered ready for the next shout by 4.00 p.m.

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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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