Exmouth will be one of the first lifeboat stations in the country to receive an innovative new class of RNLI lifeboat, the Shannon.

The new £1.5m lifeboat will replace Exmouth’s current RNLI Mersey class lifeboat, Margaret Jean, when she completes her operational time in Devon in around 12 months time.  The cost of the new lifeboat will be met by a legacy but an appeal is starting today (Monday 15 October) to help fund the new launching and recovery vehicle that is essential to move the lifeboat to and from the sea.

Exmouth RNLI’s new lifejackets were put into practice on Saturday 6 October. Funded entirely by donations, both inshore and all-weather lifeboat designs had been delivered in August.

It took a month for the crew to familiarise themselves with the new kit before using them under emergency conditions. Each crew volunteer was individually trained and had to be able to demonstrate the correct use, repacking and maintenance of both types of lifejacket before the station could change over from the old designs.

The first of three Exmouth RNLI volunteers to tie the knot this summer, Andrew Stott (35) is in his sixteenth year as a crew member at Exmouth RNLI.

He joined the crew following his older brother, Karl and was subsequently followed by his twin brother, Roy. During his service he has received the Golden Jubilee medal and more recently the Queens Diamond Jubilee medal. Andrew now works in maritime security as a coxswain of an armed patrol vessel in the Middle East, as do his brothers.

Helmsman Roger Jackson was presented with The Lady Swaythling Trophy at the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s annual Skill and Gallantry Awards, which recognise the UK’s unsung heroes who risk their lives in dangerous sea and air rescues, on October 2.

This award follows the presentation of Roger’s RNLI bronze medal for Gallantry in May for the same rescue, which took place on October 23, 2011. Roger’s fellow crew volunteers Mark Champion and Andy Williams received the thanks of the Institution on Vellum during a ‘thank you’ meal, cooked by Roger at the boathouse in July.

Roger’s second award, this time granted by an outside body, demonstrates the recognition of the skill and gallantry that RNLI crew volunteers display every day, throughout the UK.

The son of Patricia Treeby handed over a cheque for £500 to Exmouth RNLI on 9 September. The money was raised from donations in lieu of flowers from her funeral on 24 August at St. Peter’s Chapel, Exeter Crematorium.

As a life-long supporter of the charity that saves lives at sea, a further legacy is promised. Legacies are most important to the RNLI that funds six out of every ten lifeboat launches using gifts left in wills. In two recent campaigns, the charity is creating awareness of the importance of making a will: ‘Remember the RNLI week’ and offering free wills during the month of October.

On 19 September, a group of pirate enthusiasts rampaged through the streets of Exeter collecting pieces of silver for the charity that saves lives at sea. Notorious Natty and his pirate crew collected £424 for Exmouth RNLI on international talk like a pirate day. Over...

On September 16, Exmouth RNLI volunteers played host at the finishing line of the 2012 Mouth2Mouth Mini run, organised by the Jurassic Coast Mini club. The club raised £1,200 for the charity that saves lives at sea, with RNLI volunteers raising £300 from a barbeque.

80 classic Minis took part, most parking in Foxholes car park. A kind Mini enthusiast in the Town Council issued free parking for those taking part in the event.

Since their rescue in June, Richard Ridout and Sarah Galliford decided to organise a fundraising event in their village of Ebford, for the charity that saves lives at sea. A total of £1,556.24 was raised with the generosity of local businesses.

The couple threw a fundraising event at their home which included an auction, cocktails and canapés, on Sunday 12 August. The cocktails and canapés alone raised £400.

The couple approached local businesses for gifts which their guests could bid for. Some friends offered services in the way of Pilates lessons and gardening. Richard and Sarah themselves, offered a champagne cruise on the river Exe for four people on their yacht, Whimsical on which they were rescued by the charity on 5 June.

Three Exmouth RNLI crew volunteers have tied the knot this summer: Andrew Stott, Steve Satchell and Mark Champion. Andrew and Susie were married on 2 June at Lake View Manor in Dunkeswell. Steve and Sammy married at Withycombe Church, Exmouth on 18 August. Mark and...

At 2.46pm on Sunday 9 September, Brixham coastguards tasked Exmouth all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean to the aid of a fishing boat in Lyme Bay. The six-man volunteer crew towed the 25 foot angling vessel back to Teignmouth.

The boat was 11 miles south east of Exmouth with two people on board. The engine would not start due to an electrical problem. The volunteer crew reached the boat at  3.20pm and towed it to Jubilee pontoon, its home port in Teignmouth. Margaret Jean returned to the station at 5.45pm.

Henry Mock, 17 was picked at the last minute to be part of an RNLI team to provide safety cover during the Paralympic sailing events. The volunteers from around the UK started their duties at Weymouth and Portland on 22 August to oversee competitors’ practise races.

Henry is currently studying for a Level 3 National Diploma in Land-based Technology at Bicton College. He joined Exmouth RNLI in December 2011 first becoming a member of the shore crew, the charity’s volunteers on the beach who launch and recover the all-weather lifeboat, Margaret Jean. Henry is currently undertaking crew training and still in his first year, has already qualified as one of the youngest Head Launchers for the charity that saves lives at sea, throughout the UK.

Volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, Dave Ashman has raised £570 for Exmouth RNLI made up from sponsorship and prize money. He was also part of a South West RNLI team of five boats which finished second and raised a total of £8,081 for the charity that saves lives at sea.

In his Trapper 300 named Sun Trapper, Dave and two other crew members began the sailing race at 9.30am on Saturday 18 August from Plymouth. 72 boats took part in the 26 mile return course to Hand Deeps Buoy, off Eddystone Rocks. Sun Trapper came tenth overall and won £225 in prize money. The rest of the donation comprised of pledged sponsorship through the internet, the RNLI shop and the Exe Sailing Club.