Appledore and Clovelly RNLI involved in multiagency rescue of fisherman
Joint ground and air based coastguard teams together with Appledore and Clovelly RNLI involved in rescue off Hartland on 15 July.
Just before 5 pm on Wednesday 15 July the volunteer crews of both Clovelly and Appledore lifeboat stations, together with Hartland and Bude Coastguard teams, and the Coastguard Helicopter, were tasked to the aid of a fisherman who had fallen on the rocks near Hartland Point and appeared to be bleeding profusely.
Clovelly’s inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Toby Rundle, arrived on scene first and two crew members went ashore to care for the casualty whilst Appledore’s larger all weather lifeboat, Mollie Hunt, was requested to remain on scene in case the helicopter deemed it easier to winch the casualty from the boat rather than the rocks. Appledore’s smaller Y class inflatable, permanently housed within its all-weather lifeboat, would then be used at take the casualty off the coast.
Luckily this was not required as the helicopter managed to winch a paramedic down to the rocks and transfer the casualty to North Devon District Hospital
The small Y boat was used to transfer Clovelly’s crew from the rocks back to their boat and all returned back to their stations, Clovelly arriving back at just after 7.30 pm and Appledore RNLI arriving home approximately an hour later.
Remember- if you are going anywhere alone on the coast, let somebody know where you are going and estimated time of return. Always take a form of communication. If you see anyone in trouble on the coat or in the water call #999 and ask for the Coastguards.
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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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