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Exmouth RNLI help fisherman taken ill

Lifeboats News Release

Exmouth RNLI’s volunteer lifesavers were tasked to rescue a fisherman who had been taken ill yesterday.

RNLI/John Thorogood

Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn in action.

At 10.30am on Tuesday 20th June 2023, H.M. Coastguard tasked the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn, to go to the assistance of a 54 year old man who had been taken ill aboard a recreational fishing boat south of Exmouth. The launch was authorised by Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Anderson.

The lifeboat, crewed by the charity’s volunteers: Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson, Andy Stott, Roy Stott, James Edge, James Searle and Mark Cockman launched at 10.42am and made best speed to the location, arriving at the vessel at 10.54am. The lifesavers gave immediate first aid to the casualty, transferred him to the lifeboat and returned to Exmouth Marina at 11.10am. There the casualty was handed over to a waiting ambulance and taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Exeter.

On successful completion of the tasking the lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service a short time later.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers involved in the incident were Tractor Driver, Mark Sansom, Head Launcher, Paul Viner and shorecrew Roger Jackson, Jake Butt, Rory Carrig and Geoff Mills.

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 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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