Busy afternoon for Exmouth’s RNLI volunteers
The volunteer crew at Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station had a busy afternoon today, Saturday 1st August 2020, when they were tasked to two assignments within an hour of each other.
The first emergency was at 2.13pm following a request from HM Coastguard to attend a report of a dog that had fallen from the cliffs at Budleigh Salterton just east of the River Otter mouth. Exmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘Peggy D’ launched a few moments later commanded by Helm, Scott Ranft, and crew Henry Mock and Dave Preece.
They were tasked to assist the Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team in the recovery of the animal that had fallen some distance down the cliff face.
The lifeboat made its way to the scene where the crew safely recovered the dog from the water. Fortunately the pet had sustained no apparent injuries and was returned to its owner.
Helm, Scott Ranft, said “It is vital when walking along cliff tops with dogs to always keep your pet under control on a short lead and stay well away from cliff edges. If your dog does fall down a cliff, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself but call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard. This incident required the full resources of an Inshore Lifeboat and a Coastguard Rescue Team and I’m pleased it had a positive outcome. Sadly that is not always the case.”
Following the rescue, the lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service at 3.10pm.
At 3.18pm today Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, Bridie O’Shea, was launched following a request from HM Coastguard to assist the crew of a 10m yacht on passage approximately 12 miles out across Lyme Bay who were reporting an engine malfunction.
The lifeboat launched at 3.29pm under the command of Coxswain, Roy Stott, Mechanic Andy Stott, and volunteer crew Scott Ranft, David Preece and Robert Thompson and immediately made its way to the location of the vessel.
On their arrival with the yacht it became apparent that the mechanical difficulties as reported had been rectified to the satisfaction of the lifeboat crew and the vessel was able to make its own way to Brixham harbour without further incident.
The lifeboat then returned to Exmouth where it was back on service a short time later.
For more information please contact:
John Thorogood, Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer
t: 07946 466465
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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