Exmouth RNLI in multi-agency rescue of bathers cut off by tide

The Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II, and its crew of three made best speed to Sandy Bay whilst Exmouth’s all-weather lifeboat, R and J Welburn, was put on immediate readiness. Within a matter of minutes, the decision was made to go ahead and launch the charity’s all-weather Shannon lifeboat to support the incident, due to the strong westerly winds and big swells.

On reaching Sandy Bay, the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crews located two casualties on the rocks below the Ministry of Defence firing range. The casualties, one male and one female, had managed to clamber onto the rocks but now found themselves cut off by the tide. One of the casualties was a non-swimmer and, understandably, distressed by the situation they found themselves in.

Due to the nature of the weather conditions and sea state, the George Bearman II was unable to get in close enough to the rocks to reach the casualties. The Exmouth Coastguard Helicopter had also been tasked and had also arrived on scene. One of the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew transferred from the inshore lifeboat to the rocks to reassure the casualties. Working alongside the Exmouth Coastguard rescue team the decision was made for the helicopter to extract the casualties from the rocks. The Exmouth RNLI crews remained in attendance while both casualties were successfully passed to the Exmouth Coastguard rescue team, after which both Exmouth RNLI lifeboats returned to the lifeboat station.

Arriving back at the Exmouth RNLI station at 7.45pm, the incident had lasted for around and hour and a quarter. Both boats were washed down and re-fuelled, ready for the next tasking.