Exmouth RNLI launch in response to distress call
Exmouth RNLI volunteers were tasked today after H.M. Coastguard received an emergency distress transmission.
At 11.26am today Wednesday 6 July 2022, H.M. Coastguard tasked Exmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II to a report of an automated DSC distress signal being received at a location 300 metres off Sandy Bay, Exmouth. The lifesavers launched at 11:32am and immediately commenced a shoreline search in the locality broadcast by the emergency call.
Shortly afterwards at 11.36am H.M. Coastguard requested Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat
13-03 R & J Welburn launch to assist their colleages in the search.
Both lifeboats then commenced a detailed search of the area and at 11.55am the volunteer crew of the RNLI inshore lifeboat identified a vessel east of the location with a faulty radio that was believed to be the source of the signal. The crew were able to satisfy themselves that the alarm was due to equipment failure, those on board the boat were safe and no other vessels in the area were in distress. At 12.15pm H.M. Coastguard stood down both lifeboats and they made their way back to Exmouth.
Exmouth RNLI volunteer lifesavers who took part in the assignment were :
All Weather Lifeboat : Coxswain : Steve Hockings-Thompson, Lifeboat Mechanic : Andy Stott and crew Harry Griffin, Sarah Pennicard, Ed Steele and Geoff Mills.
Inshore Lifeboat : Helm: Guy Munnings and crew Dougie Wright and James Edge.
Other volunteers involved were Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Vince and Tractor Driver, Robert Thompson.
Both lifeboats were back on service by 12.35pm 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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