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Lifejacket and phone helped save sailors, says Plymouth RNLI after two rescues

Lifeboats News Release

Plymouth RNLI’s volunteer crew launched twice within two hours on Thursday 14 May to assist two incidents. The first involved a casualty clinging to a ladder in the water near Cargreen; the second, to help a sailor with a suspected broken arm near the Breakwater in Plymouth Sound.

Inshore Lifeboat driving at speed across water

RNLI/Darren Blight

Cameron Hicks, RNLI Helmsman on ILB Annabel E Jones
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Both times, the RNLI was able to respond quickly due to them having a mobile phone to call for help, and wearing a lifejacket helped save the life of a sailor who was pulled from the water after falling overboard whilst barely conscious.

In the first incident, Plymouth RNLI’s Inshore lifeboat (ILB) Annabel E Jones launched at 3.48pm after the volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to assist a man who had fallen overboard from his yacht just north of Cargreen,on the River Tamar.

His friend—also wearing a lifejacket—used his mobile phone to call for help to pull the man out of the water. On arrival, the RNLI crew found the casualty barely conscious and holding on to a ladder on the stern of his boat. Two crew members recovered him from the water. The casualty, along with two casualty-care trained crew were transferred to the MOD Police Launch, who had also responded to the call. Both vessels then proceeded at best speed to Saltash, where the man was handed over to South Western Ambulance Service for onward care.

Cameron Hicks, ILB Helm, said: 'We were really pleased that both men were wearing lifejackets and had a mobile phone with them whilst enjoying time on the water. Without a doubt, wearing a lifejacket helped to save the life of the man in the water.'

The ILB returned to Plymouth RNLI station and was washed down, refuelled and ready for service by 5.16pm.

Just 15 minutes later, the volunteer crew were tasked again and launched at 5.31pm—this time to assist a man with a suspected broken arm on a yacht near the Breakwater, by Bovisand in Plymouth Sound.

Two RNLI crew members went aboard the vessel to assess the injury and escorted the yacht back to Mayflower Marina. The casualty was then driven to hospital by his wife.

Cameron added: 'It’s important to wear a lifejacket and have a phone, or radio, whenever you go out on the water in case of an accident. In both cases it meant we could be called to assist quickly.'

The RNLI offers the following safety measures for anyone heading out on a yacht or motorboat:
  • Always wear an appropriate lifejacket.
  • Always carry a means of calling and signalling for help.
  • Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place and everybody has an onboard briefing (in particular on the location and use of the safety equipment, including the spare kill cord for powerboats).
  • Get the right level of training for your craft.
  • Always check the weather and tide times.
  • Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don't return on time.
  • Always drive your boat at a speed that is appropriate to the weather conditions and to the environment you are operating in.
  • For more safety information, visit: Yacht Sailing And Motorboating - Boating Safety Advice From The RNLI
Inshore Lifeboat driving at speed across water with Plymouth in the background

RNLI/Darren Blight

RNLI Plymouth Station's Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat, Annabel E Jones on Plymouth Sound
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

  • Katie O’Neill, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Plymouth Lifeboat Station 07934 879703 or email [email protected]
  • Darren Blight, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Plymouth Lifeboat Station on 07984 399860 or [email protected]
  • Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
  • Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]
  • RNLI Duty Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.

About the authors

Katie O'Neill
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Plymouth
Darren Blight LPO

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