From sinking vessel to dog rescue: Exmouth RNLI crew launch six times in a week

Incidents have included rescuing three crew who had taken to their life raft after abandoning their sinking vessel, assisting a yacht that suffered from engine failure, a motor vessel that had lost all steerage and was heading for cliffs, a rib with engine failure and a dog cut off by the tide.

Both the Exmouth RNLI All-Weather Shannon lifeboat, R & J Wellburn and Inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II were launched on service multiple times this week, with volunteer boat and shore crew responding immediately to their pagers, regardless of their personal activities at the time of the request. When their pagers sound, they all quickly and safely make their way to the lifeboat station, never knowing the nature of the incident until arrival.

This 24/7 commitment extends to their training and even though the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew were out late Tuesday night and again the next morning, they still undertook their regular Wednesday evening training.

Geoff Mills, Exmouth RNLI ILB and ALB volunteer crew member, who launched on three of this week’s shouts said:

‘Although the time commitment required for the RNLI can obviously cause disruption to work and family life, the reward of being there to help people who need it made it all worthwhile.’

Steve Hockings-Thomson, Exmouth RNLI Coxswain said:

‘It’s been a busy period for our dedicated volunteer crews and we are grateful for their 24/7 commtment. I would advise all water users to check their craft before launching after a long winter of inactivity.’

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 Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.