Teignmouth RNLI volunteers respond to false alarm with good intent
Teignmouth lifeboat responded to a false alarm with good intent, following reports of person thought to be in difficulty.
At 4.20pm on Sunday 9 February, Solent Coastguard requested the assistance of Teignmouth Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, Claude and Kath following reports of s person in difficulty off the coast of Babbacombe. Volunteer crew from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station responded to the pager with the shore crew and tractor driver on hand to launch the lifeboat with four crew members on board.
Weather conditions were favourable, with clear visibility and a brisk north easterly wind.
The crew arrived on scene where they were able to assist shore-based team members from Torbay Coastguard. Upon arriving at the location pin pointed by those located on the shore, it was discovered that the concerns were a false alarm. Teignmouth lifeboat was consequently stood down and returned to station shortly before 5.00pm.
Speaking following the call out, Teignmouth RNLI spokesperson said ‘this was a false alarm with good intent and we would commend the person who raised the alarm as that is always the right thing to do, we would always rather investigate such concerns than assume all is well when it may not be. If you see someone in trouble by the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.’
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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