Exmouth and Teignmouth RNLI lifeboats launch to assist sinking fishing boat
At 6.45am yesterday (Monday 21 October) HM Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Exmouth RNLI in response to a Mayday call from a fishing vessel that had water flooding into the engine room.
The all-weather lifeboat, R&J Welburn, and six volunteer crew launched and made best speed to the reported location of the vessel. Due to the serious nature of the incident, volunteer colleagues from Teignmouth RNLI had also been paged and launched their lifeboat, The Two Annes, to provide further assistance. A number of other commercial vessels also responded to the call for help.
The fishing vessel was approximately three miles east of Teignmouth and the Teignmouth RNLI crew arrived on scene first, followed shortly after by the Exmouth RNLI crew. Both crews were then able to place a number of crew and salvage pumps on board to lower the level of water in the engine room and allow a subsequent safe tow to be attached by one of the responding fishing vessels.
At this stage, Teignmouth RNLI volunteers returned to station, whilst the Exmouth RNLI volunteers escorted the vessel under tow and its two occupants back to the safety of Brixham harbour.
Neil Armitage, Exmouth RNLI Launch Authority said: ‘This was another great piece of teamwork from our RNLI volunteers and our sincere thanks to the other vessels who also responded to the call for help. Our Exmouth volunteer crew eventually got safely back to the station for midday.’
Notes to editors
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RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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