Exmouth RNLI launches to assist becalmed yacht

Exmouth RNLI lifesaving volunteers were tasked on Saturday after H.M. Coastguard received numerous 999 calls about a motionless yacht off Budleigh Salterton.

At 9.25pm last Saturday 9 July 2022, H.M. Coastguard tasked both Exmouth RNLI lifeboats to several reports of a 16ft trimaran making no progress about one mile off Budleigh Salterton with no indication of any persons on board.

A short time later Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn and Inshore Lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II launched in response and made their way to the yacht.

On their arrival with the sailing vessel it was established that two persons were crewing the boat and were attempting to make their way to Teignmouth but had become becalmed in a slack tide with no auxiliary power. The lifeboat crews assessed the situation and escorted the yacht across the bay where they were met by the crew of Teignmouth RNLI B Class lifeboat B-809 The Two Annes and assisted safely into Teignmouth.

Having ensured the safety of the vessel and its crew both Exmouth Lifeboats returned to the lifeboat station.

Exmouth RNLI volunteer lifesavers who took part in the assignment were:

All Weather Lifeboat: Coxswain Roy Stott, Lifeboat Mechanic Andy Stott and crew Mark Champion, Nick Wright, Matt Bragg and Ed Steele. 

Inshore Lifeboat: Helm Harry Griffin and crew Ed Thomas, Jake Butt.

Other volunteers involved were Deputy Launch Authority, Liam Pessell and Shore Crew, Tractor Driver Henry Mock, Head Launcher Neil Cannon and crew Jason Luff, Jake Richards and Ewok Dinsdale.

Both Exmouth lifeboats were back on service by 11.05pm that day.