Exmouth RNLI volunteers on call to save lives this Christmas and New Year

The RNLI is reminding the public it will remain on call over the Christmas and New Year period, from 24 December to 1 January.

Lifeboat crews are reportedly ready to launch "24 hours a day, seven days a week".

Exmouth RNLI has launched its lifeboats each year since 2017 over the festive period, for a total of 14 times.

New Year's Day was also highlighted as a particularly common day for call-outs to incidents such as walkers getting cut off by the tide.

Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Crew Member Geoff Mills experienced his first New Year's Eve rescue of two adults, a six-year-old child and a dog in 2021.

Geoff said: "When we arrived on scene, there was about 10ft of beach left and the tide was high.

"It was a challenging rescue as weather conditions were rough. The all-weather lifeboat had to be requested to ensure the rescue was conducted safely.

"We transferred the mother and child first onto the ALB, followed by the father and dog, which proved to be quite tricky in rough conditions, but we did it.

"Thankfully, the family returned safely to shore, and were able to celebrate the New Year together."

If you need the RNLI in an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.