On Sunday, 22 June 2025 at around 10.40am, the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI launched its all-weather Shannon lifeboat, R and J Welburn, to assist a stricken yacht whose mast had collapsed whilst sailing off Dawlish Warren.
The Exmouth RNLI crew of seven were tasked by H.M. Coastguard following a mayday call from a distressed female casualty aboard the yacht, reported to be two miles south of Dawlish Warren. Launching quickly, following the initial request at 10.38am, the 13-03 R and J Welburn was soon on scene, locating the damaged yacht and two casualties one mile southwest of the safe water mark off the Exe river mouth at Exmouth.
The mast of the yacht had suffered a complete collapse, and the volunteer crew were quick to ascertain that there were no injured parties on board the vessel. However, the two casualties were understandably very distressed and shocked by the sudden failure of the mast.
One of the Exmouth RNLI crew transferred to the yacht and assisted one female casualty, who was taken off the yacht and moved to the all-weather Shannon lifeboat. The male casualty remained aboard the yacht, whilst the volunteer from the Exmouth RNLI crew undertook work to tidy loose ropes and prepare the yacht to return to its mooring.
Under the power of its engine, the yacht proceeded initially towards its mooring at Starcross with the charity’s lifeboat in support. However, subsequent difficulties arose with the yacht’s engines as it proceeded back to Starcross, at which point the Exmouth RNLI executed a tow of the sailing vessel, returning it to its mooring at around 12.30pm.
Roger Jackson, Exmouth RNLI Coxswain said, ‘Whilst very distressing for the two people aboard the yacht, we were relieved to arrive on scene and find that they were uninjured by the falling mast. It could have been so much worse.’
The Exmouth RNLI lifeboat and volunteer crew returned to the station at 1.10pm, where the boat was washed down and re-fuelled, ready for the next tasking.