Busy Easter for Exmouth RNLI lifesavers

Exmouth RNLI volunteers attended two reports of vessels in distress over the Easter weekend.

At 1:30pm on Saturday 16th April 2022, the crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II were on exercise off Exmouth when they diverted to a 20 foot Arvor motorboat that was unable to make headway due to a fouled propellor.

The volunteer crew, led by Inshore Lifeboat Helm, Harry Griffin, and crew Ed Thomas and Geoff Mills, immediately assessed the situation and having determined that the vessel was unable to recover, towed it and its occupants to the safety of its mooring.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers who assisted were Deputy Launch Authority, Mike Gall, Head Launcher Scott Ranft, Tractor Driver Neil Cannon, and shore crew Steve Woodbridge and Duncan Richards. No one was injured as a result of the incident and the lifeboat was back on exercise by 2pm that day.

At 2:58pm on Sunday 17th April 2022, H.M. Coastguard requested the attendance of Exmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II to a report of a 2.5 ton, 8 metre motor cruiser that had run aground off Exmouth with engine failure at the entrance to the channel. The charity's volunteers launched at 3:15pm commanded by Helm, Harry Griffin, and crew Dougie Wright and Geoff Mills, and were able to reach the casualty vessel within a few minutes. They established that the vessel, with two persons on board, was unable to make progress and so effected a tow to the safety of Exmouth Marina.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers who assisted were Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Anderson, Head Launcher Neil Cannon, and shore crew Steve Woodbridge and Duncan Richards.

No one was injured as a result of the incident and the lifeboat was back on exercise by 4pm that day. Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Helm on both taskings, Harry Griffin, said, "on both occasions, we were able to assist the vessels in difficulty and help them to safety without further damage or risk to their occupants. I would urge all boat owners to carefully check their vessels to ensure that they are properly serviced, reliable and safe to use, especially following a period of inactivity." Additional safety information for water users can be found on the RNLI website.