At 15.54 HM Coastguard tasked our D Class Inshore Lifeboat, George Bearman II, to an 8-metre rigid inflatable boat (rib) in difficulty off of Straight Point, following a call from a member of the public.
The Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew of three launched within 6 minutes and headed towards the casualty vessel which had four people on board. The Exmouth RNLI lifeboat was on scene 15 minutes later and located the rib which had developed mechanical issues. The crew of the casualty vessel had dropped their anchor which was, unfortunately, at this point, dragging towards the shore.
On communicating with the crew of the rib, the volunteers of Exmouth RNLI discovered that the casualty vessel’s crew had already called for assistance from a friend to come and tow them to safety. Exmouth RNLI’s crew remained on scene whilst the recovery vessel arrived and then followed the casualties under tow until they arrived safely at the mouth of the River Exe.
The George Bearman II and its volunteer crew subsequently returned to Exmouth lifeboat station where the boat was washed down and re-fuelled, ready for the next tasking.
Thank you to the member of the public for making the initial call to the coastguard. Always the right thing to do if you think someone is in difficulty; and when the pager goes, we are ready. Great teamwork!