Successful Exmouth RNLI multi-team response to missing sea swimmers

The Exmouth Inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II, and three volunteer crew launched today at 11.42am and set off to the last reported location of the missing swimmers, along with the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) from the Exmouth RNLI lifeguard team. They were followed shortly after by the Exmouth RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat R&J Welburn, with a further five volunteer crew onboard.

On route to the scene, it was reported that one of the swimmers had self-recovered to the beach, but that a remaining swimmer was still missing. The ILB and RNLI lifeguards continued to search and shortly after the RNLI lifeguard on their RWC located the lone swimmer approximately half a mile off Orcombe Point. They were quickly pulled from the sea and transferred to the safety of the ILB, who swiftly returned them to Exmouth lifeboat station. The swimmers were both uninjured and able to meet with friends and make their own way home.

Steve Hockings-Thompson, Exmouth RNLI Coxwain said:

‘Today’s very strong outgoing spring tide caught the swimmers unaware and quickly took them out to sea.

We are grateful that the group of swimmers were able to rapidly identify that a member of their group was in danger and call for help, but we advise all sea swimmers to pay close attention to the state of the tide, take appropriate safety equipment with them and only swim in familiar waters and/or conditions.’

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Alison Hogan, Exmouth RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07867904498 or [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead at [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.