Exmouth RNLI volunteers launched their all weather lifeboat last night following a report of a broken down yacht off Exmouth.

At 9.18pm yesterday, Sunday 6^th August 2023, H.M. Coastguard requested the launch of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn following a report of a 31 foot yacht broken down 2 miles south of Straight Point, Exmouth. The launch was authorised by Deputy Launch Authority, Liam Pessell.

The lifeboat, commanded by 2^nd Coxswain, Scott Ranft with crew Mark Sansom, Harry Griffin, Ed Steele, Geoff Mills and Dougie Wright launched a short time later and made best speed to locate the casualty vessel. The two person crew of the yacht had made multiple efforts to restart their engine without success and stood at anchor off the coast.

At 9.44pm the lifeboat crew made contact with the vessel with its two occupants and assessed the situation. It was established that the boat’s engine had malfunctioned and had a broken impeller, it was unable to make headway and the safest course of action was to tow the yacht and its occupants to safety.

Two crew members boarded the yacht to help free the vessels anchor and at 10.37pm the volunteer lifesavers secured a long tow and began escorting it to safety on the River Exe at Starcross, arriving there at shortly before midnight.

The volunteers having satisfied themselves that the vessel was safely secured and the crew safe and well, H.M. Coastguard stood the lifeboat down at 00.15am today.   

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers involved in the assignment were Henry Mock, Tim Barnes, Jake Butt, Chris Angell, Becky Barnett, Mark Cockman, James Edge, Jason Luff, Ed Thomas, Henry Thomas and Debra Quine.

Detailed RNLI advice on yacht safety and motorboating can be found here : https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating