Ilfracombe and Clovelly RNLI rescue three after leisure craft sinks off Lundy

On Saturday 11 May, while out on exercise, Clovelly's crew were tasked to attend a Mayday call. A 25ft pleasure boat had begun taking on water and the crew were in need of assistance. By the time that the inshore lifeboat Toby Rundle arrived on the scene, the Ilfracombe-based trip boat Wild Frontier had reached the three casualties, who had managed to escape into their tender and radio for help. Sadly, their vessel was lost.

The Clovelly crew put one man on board the vessel to deliver aid to the casualties. At 1.30pm Ilfracombe's all weather lifeboat, the Barry and Peggy High Foundation, arrived on the scene, taking the casualties on board in order to deliver them safely to Ilfracombe harbour.

The Toby Rundle returned to station at 2.15pm, where the crew were warmly welcomed by a group of supporters including RNLI trustee Lord Mark Sedwill and Vice President Sir Hugo Swire, who were visiting Clovelly at the time.

“The rescue highlighted just how quickly things can go wrong out on the water,” helm Neil Wonnacott explained. “Once the casualty vessel began taking on water, it sank very quickly. Luckily, those on board had remembered to bring their VHF radio when they boarded their tender. It’s important to ensure that you always remember to bring a means of calling for help.”