EXMOUTH RNLI’s volunteer lifesavers were called to a number of emergencies off Exmouth seafront over the weekend.

At just after 8pm on Saturday, May 27, H.M. Coastguard tasked the volunteer crew of relief inshore lifeboat D-792 Marie Theresa Bertha Barrass to a report of a paddleboarder in difficulty off Orcombe Point, Exmouth.

The inshore lifeboat, crewed by helm Harry Griffin and crew David Preece and Ed Thomas, immediately sped to the reported location where they discovered the paddleboarder, who was no longer in difficulty and did not require assistance.

The lifesavers were en route back to Exmouth Lifeboat Station when H.M. Coastguard diverted them to a report of a female with a medical emergency on the beach close to Exmouth Lifeboat Station. They quickly located the individual where they gave casualty care until the arrival of an ambulance.

The inshore lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service a short time later.

Other RNLI volunteers involved were tractor driver Mark Sansom, head auncher, Roger Jackson and shore crew Ashley Palmer-Robinson, Becky Barnett and Rory Carrig.

Then at 9.26pm on the same day, H.M. Coastguard tasked the crew to a report of a number of paddleboarders in difficulty off Exmouth seafront. 

The lifeboat, crewed by volunteers Harry Griffin, Ed Thomas and Dougie Wright, immediately sped to the reported location where they discovered the paddleboarders had self recovered to the beach, were safe and well and no longer required assistance.

The inshore lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was soon back on service.

Other RNLI volunteers involved were tractor driver Roger Jackson, head launcher Geoff Mills and shore crew Ashley Palmer-Robinson, Becky Barnett, Ed Steele, Jake Butt and Henry Thomas.

These launches were authorised by deputy launch authority, Hedley Saunders.

At 12.49pm on Sunday, May 28, the crew were sent to assist police in the search for a missing child on Exmouth beach, last seen by the water's edge.

An Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were also called to assist, as were the safety boats on the River Exe.

The inshore lifeboat launched almost immediately, commanded by James Edge, on what was his first tasking as helm, with crew Harry Griffin and Geoff Mills. The lifeboat commenced a shoreline search of Exmouth seafront.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers involved were head launcher Jake Butt, tractor driver, Scott Ranft and shore crew Robert Thompson and Becky Barnett.

Once the shorecrew had completed their launching duties they too joined in the search along Exmouth beach and, at about 1.05pm, RNLI volunteer Robert Thompson found the missing child safe and well at that location.

Satisfied that the tasking had been successfully completed and the child reunited with parents, H.M. Coastguard stood down all assets at 1.11pm.

The inshore lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station and was back on service shortly afterwards. This launch was authorised by deputy launch authority Rob Vince.

A handy RNLI beach safety leaflet can be downloaded from this link: https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/on-the-beach-rnli-beach-safety-advice-english-version.pdf