Lyme Regis RNLI launch to casualty reported in the sea off Sidmouth
Lyme Regis RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne was launched last evening (26 May) in response to the report of a person in difficulty 300m off Sidmouth beach.
The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged by UK Coastguard at 6:44pm in response to a 999 emergency call made by a member of the public. They launched seven minutes later and made best speed westwards along the coast against a 15 mph south westerly wind and 1.5m waves.
As they approached Sidmouth the Lyme Regis crew were informed by the Coastguard that the suspected casualty was thought to be a lobster pot marker but that they should continue to the scene to confirm this.
Spirit of Loch Fyne arrived off Sidmouth at 7:20 pm, and once the crew had confirmed that the casualty was in fact a pot marker they were stood down by the Coastguard. They then returned to Lyme Regis at 7:50 pm when the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled by volunteer shore crew in preparation for its next tasking.
Volunteer Helm Jon Broome said, ‘The person who reported what they thought to be a person in difficulty in the water did exactly the right thing by dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. Even though this turned out to be false alarm, we would much rather be called out for a pot marker than not be called at all.’
This was the 16th service call for the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI in 2024, the year the lifesaving charity celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Notes to editors
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For more information please contact Nick Marks volunteer deputy lifeboat press officer at Lyme Regis RNLI telephone 07568 187582 or email [email protected]
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