Two people cut off by tide at Sillery Sands
The Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard at 3.50 p.m. on Friday 20 August to assist two people cut off by tide on Sillery Sands near Lynmouth.
The RNLI volunteer crew quickly launched the Ilfracombe relief D class inshore lifeboat and made their way out of the harbour. The lifeboat made good speed along the coastline in fair conditions with a gentle following wind and a small chop.
Arriving on scene just 30 minutes later the crew saw the two people, a man and a woman stranded on the shore with the rising tide. The crew beached the lifeboat and crew members went ashore to reassure the people and check they were unharmed. The people were given life jackets and assisted onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat then returned the people to Lynmouth harbour where they were placed into the care of the Lynmouth Coastguard team.
The lifeboat crew then made their way back to Ilfracombe harbour this time against the wind and tide, and arrived back at Ilfracombe harbour 45 minutes later where the lifeboat was recovered and made ready for the next service.
RNLI Volunteer Helm Stuart Carpenter says: ‘The tides around the North Devon coastline can come in very quickly and catch people out. Fortunately, today no one was hurt, however we would urge people to check the tide timetables before walking along the shoreline and to keep an eye on the time. We would always recommend that people carry a means of calling for help and if they get into difficulties dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
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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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