Exmouth and Torbay RNLI volunteers rescue crew from sinking trawler

The fishermen had abandoned the vessel, taking to a life raft. All three casualties were recovered, cold but requiring no further medical assistance, and were brought back to Brixham where they were met by their families.

The incident happened very quickly, allowing only moments for the crew to issue their Mayday call. The vessel, a 10m catamaran, then keeled over and sank.

The Exmouth RNLI Shannon lifeboat, R & J Welburn arrived first at the scene at 10.12pm, 12 miles offshore towards Sidmouth. Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew quickly recovered all three casualties from their liferaft. They were then safely transferred to the waiting Torbay Severn class lifeboat and brought back to Brixham. The Exmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to Exmouth with the vessel’s liferaft on its stern.

Exmouth RNLI Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson said: ‘It was a black night and a short, choppy sea. We were able to see their flares at quite a distance and reach them quickly. Luckily, they had all the correct safety equipment on board that can make all the difference.’

HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 was also tasked to assist alongside the Exmouth and Torbay RNLI all-weather lifeboats.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Alison Hogan, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Exmouth Lifeboat Station on 07867 904498 or [email protected] or Niall Blatcher, volunteer press officer at Torbay Lifeboat Station on 07734 114777 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.