Busy Bank Holiday for Exmouth’s Lifesavers
Exmouth RNLI lifesavers had a busy Bank Holiday Monday when they attended three taskings.
The first was at 11.52 am today Monday 29 August when, following a 999 call, H.M. Coastguard tasked the crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II to a report of a Kitesurfer in distress approximately a third of a mile off Exmouth Lifeboat Station.
The volunteer crew launched shortly afterwards and immediately commenced a search of the location given. Exmouth RNLI Lifeguards were also assigned to the emergency.
The casualty was very quickly located and the RNLI Lifeguards took the casualty on board their rescue watercraft and to the safety of shore. He was cold but uninjured and did not require any medical attention.
On completion of the tasking, at about 12.40pm today the inshore lifeboat was being prepared for service when the crew were alerted to a 16ft sailing boat with engine failure that was unable to make progress and drifting about a quarter of a mile off the National Coastwatch Tower on Exmouth Seafront.
The lifeboat launched immediately and once on scene the lifesavers determined that the vessel was unable to make headway in the channel, was drifting towards Pole Sands and was a hazard to other water users. The crew effected a tow and the boat was taken to the River Exe where it was safely anchored. None of the occupants were injured or required medical help.
The Exmouth RNLI volunteers involved in these taskings were :
Deputy Launch Authority : Rob Anderson
Inshore Lifeboat : Helm, Harry Griffin and crew James Edge and Geoff Mills.
Shore Crew : Tractor Driver, Karl Halford. Head Launcher, John Dinsdale assisted by Jake Richards, David Preece, Ed Thomas, Matt Bragg and Guy Munnings.
Then at 2.43pm today our Exmouth RNLI Shop volunteers received a telephone call from parents reporting their son in difficulty and exhausted on Pole Sands.
The volunteer lifesavers launched on their third tasking of the day and commenced a search of the area without success. One member of the crew went ashore and made enquiries with members of the public in the area to no avail.
The crew continued their search of the area but stood down when it was established that the individual had returned home and was safe and well. The lifeboat returned to the station and was back on service a short time later.
Exmouth RNLI crew involved were :
Deputy Launch Authority : Mike Gall
Inshore Lifeboat : Helm, Harry Griffin. Crew, Guy Munnings and James Searle.
Shore Crew : Tractor Driver, Robert Thompson. Head Launcher, John Dinsdale assisted by Jake Richards.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should always call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. When you take a craft to sea, always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Always wear a lifejacket and take a means of calling for help.
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 142,700 lives.
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