Exmouth RNLI’s volunteer lifesavers were tasked to a number of emergences off Exmouth seafront over the weekend.

At just after 8pm on Saturday 27^th May 2023 H.M. Coastguard tasked the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI relief inshore lifeboat D-792 Marie Theresa Bertha Barrass to a report of a paddleboarder in difficulty off Orcombe Point, Exmouth.

The inshore lifeboat, crewed by volunteers Helm, Harry Griffin and crew David Preece and Ed Thomas immediately sped to the reported location where they discovered the paddleboarder who was no longer in difficulty and did not require assistance.

The charitys lifesavers were en route back to Exmouth Lifeboat Station when H.M. Coastguard diverted them to a report of a female with a medical emergency on the beach close to Exmouth Lifeboat Station. They quickly located the individual where they gave casualty care until the arrival of an ambulance. The inshore lifeboat then returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service a short time later.

Other RNLI volunteers involved were Tractor Driver, Mark Sansom, Head Launcher, Roger Jackson with shore crew Ashley Palmer-Robinson, Becky Barnett and Rory Carrig.

Then at 9.26pm the same day H.M. Coastguard tasked the crew of Exmouth RNLI relief inshore lifeboat D-792 Marie Theresa Bertha Barrass to a report of a number of paddleboarders in difficulty off Exmouth seafront. 

The lifeboat, crewed by volunteers Harry Griffin, Ed Thomas and Dougie Wright immediately sped to the reported location where they discovered the paddleboarders had self recovered to the beach, were safe and well and no longer required assistance.

The inshore lifeboat again returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was soon back on service.

Other RNLI volunteers involved were Tractor, Roger Jackson, Head Launcher, Geoff Mills with shore crew Ashley Palmer-Robinson, Becky Barnett, Ed Steele, Jake Butt and Henry Thomas.

These launches were authorised by Deputy Launch Authority, Hedley Saunders.

At 12.49pm on Sunday 28^th May 2023 H.M. Coastguard tasked the crew of Exmouth RNLI relief inshore lifeboat D-792 Marie Theresa Bertha Barrass to assist Police in the search for a missing child on Exmouth beach, last seen by the waters edge. An Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were also called to assist as were the safety boats on the River Exe.

The inshore lifeboat launched almost immediately, commanded by James Edge, on what was his first tasking as Helm, with crew Harry Griffin and Geoff Mills. The lifeboat commenced a shoreline search of Exmouth seafront.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers involved were Head Launcher, Jake Butt, Tractor Driver, Scott Ranft and shore crew Robert Thompson and Becky Barnett.

Once the shorecrew had completed their launching duties they too joined in the search along Exmouth beach and at about 1.05pm RNLI volunteer Robert Thompson found the missing child safe and well at that location.

Satisfied that the tasking had been successfully completed and the child reunited with parents, H.M. Coastguard stood down all assets at 1.11pm. The inshore lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station and was back on service shortly afterwards.

This launch was authorised by Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Vince.

A handy RNLI beach safety leaflet can be downloaded from this link: https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/on-the-beach-rnli-beach-safety-advice-english-version.pdf