On the afternoon of 22 July, both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats from Exmouth RNLI were called to rescue two yachts in difficulty in Lyme Bay.

At 2.55pm, Brixham coastguard tasked the all-weather Mersey-class Margaret Jean to the aid of a ketch in difficulty, 5.3 nautical miles east south east of Straight Point. The 30 foot yacht, en route to Newhaven from Brixham, had various mechanical failures and experienced trouble in drifting fog. Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Fort Austin stood by, watching over the casualty until help arrived from the charity. RNLI crew volunteers towed the Fisher 30 yacht with three men aboard to the visitors’ mooring in the river Exe. Margaret Jean returned to station and was recovered on the beach at 5.50pm.

At 5.55pm, the inshore lifeboat, George Bearman was launched. Already on the beach, two of the crew volunteers from the all-weather lifeboat changed into their inshore lifeboat drysuits to embark on their second rescue of the afternoon. A catamaran, Harmony was experiencing difficulties due to lack of wind and a faulty engine drive coupling, two miles off Straight Point. Arriving on scene at 6.04pm, the crew volunteers attached a tow rope to the lightweight vessel and towed Harmony to Exmouth marina.

Exmouth RNLI Coxswain Mechanic, Tim Mock commented;

‘Mechanical failures are all too common and most can be avoided by good maintenance and preparation. The conditions today in the fog, would be a concern for anyone stranded or broken down out at sea, as they are unable to get out of the way of other vessels. We were pleased to help get them in to safety.’