Exmouth RNLI respond to paddleboarder in difficulty
Exmouth RNLI volunteers went to the aid of a paddleboarder reportedly in difficulty off Budleigh Salterton this afternoon.
At 2.56pm today Saturday 7th October 2023, the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II were tasked to attend a report of a paddleboarder in trouble about 500 metres due south of Budleigh Salterton beach off the Old Lime Kiln. The paddleboarder was not wearing a lifejacket.
The charity’s lifeboat, commanded by Helm, Guy Munnings, with crew Jason Luff and James Searle was already launched and immediately sped towards the reported location of the casualty, arriving in the area at 3.19pm. Beer Coastguard Rescue Team also assisted with the tasking.
Shortly after their arrival H.M. Coastguard stood down the volunteer RNLI crew after it was established that the paddleboarder had self-recovered to the beach at Budleigh Salterton and was seen by the Coastguard Team. The lifeboat crew returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where they were back on service shortly afterwards.
Other RNLI volunteers involved in the rescue were Tractor Driver, Robert Thompson with shore crew Ed Steele, Charles Swales, Matt Bragg, Tim Barnes, Tim Thorn and Stev Hockings-Thompson. The launch request was authorised by Exmouth RNLI Deputy Launch Authority, Mike Gall.
A handy RNLI safety guide for windsurfers, bodyboarders, kayakers and other water users can be downloaded from here :
https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/in-the-surf-rnli-guide-to-surfsport-safety-english-version.pdf
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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