Exmouth RNLI tows broken-down yacht to safety

Exmouth RNLI's volunteer lifesavers were tasked to assist a broken-down vessel on Wednesday (7 June).

At 7.30pm, HM Coastguard tasked the volunteer crews of both Exmouth RNLI lifeboats to assist a 28ft yacht with engine failure caught in a flooding tide on the River Exe close to no. 11 buoy.

The lifeboats were both undergoing a training exercise off Dawlish when a Pan-Pan call (used for urgent, non-life-threatening situations) was received from the vessel, which had two persons on board.

It required urgent assistance as it had lost all engine power and was drifting towards other boats moored on the river.

The inshore lifeboat was first to arrive at the scene and assisted in safely securing the yacht and commenced an astern tow.

A short time later the all-weather lifeboat arrived at the location and undertook an alongside tow, escorting the vessel to the safety of Exmouth Marina.

At 7.52pm, satisfied that the vessel and its occupants were safe and secure, both lifeboats stood down from the tasking and returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station. No-one suffered any injury or required medical attention.