Exmouth Inshore Lifeboat launched to assist female in water
At 1:01am today Wednesday 1st January 2020 Exmouth’s RNLI Inshore Lifeboat George Bearman II was alerted by HM Coastguard to go to the assistance of a female in difficulty in the water off Exmouth seafront.
In what was the first shout for the RNLI in the whole of the UK and Ireland for 2020, the lifeboat was alerted to a report of a female in difficulty in the sea between the Octagon and Exmouth Rowing Club along the Exmouth seafront. The inshore lifeboat was launched shortly afterwards by volunteer RNLI Mechanic, Paul Balbi and rapidly made its way to the scene where the crew, led by Helm Henry Mock and volunteer crew Scott Ranft, immediately began a search of the area.
Their search was called off shortly afterwards after it was confirmed that the female had made her own way to the beach and safety. Police, ambulance and members of HM Coastguard also attended the scene and the young lady was given medical checks. It is not thought that she sustained any injuries.
Helm Henry Mock said, 'This individual had entered the sea on a very cold night and at a time when there was a strong tidal current running. She was very lucky to have made her way back to shore in that strong sea state and we would urge anyone not to venture into the sea in such conditions.'
The lifeboat completed the assignment and was back on station at 2:05am today.
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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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