Monday 27 July 2026 was a busy day for the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI with the second tasking of the day from H.M. Coastguard coming in at 8.10pm. A 999 call had been made with concerns for two teenage boys spotted on the rocks below the firing range at Sandy Bay.
Initially, the mobile coastguard teams were tasked to assist the casualties, but on arrival at the location, they were unable to reach them. Exmouth RNLI were paged to the location, launching at around 20:16hrs. Our D-Class, inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II, made swift passage to Sandy Bay and quickly located the casualties. On their arrival, the volunteer crew established that the casualties were actually not teenagers but young men who were not in distress, but simply enjoying a spot of fishing in the current glorious summer weather.
On this occasion, the 999 caller made exactly the right decision to alert the coastguard as, in this location the individuals may well have been cut off by the tide. We call this a false alarm with good intent and we would always encourage members of the public with any concerns at the coast to contact the coastguard.
We are delighted that this was a safe and happy outcome for all.
The lifeboat returned to the station at approximately 8.50pm, where it was washed down and refuelled, ready for the next sounding of the pagers.