Three shouts for Exmouth RNLI

Paddleboarding dog is amongst those rescued

Three emergencies in and off the Exmouth coastline made Saturday one of the busiest days of the year for the town's lifeboat crew. 

Around 10 a.m. a female on a paddleboard with a dog were reported drifting out of control off Budleigh Salterton. Exmouth's inshore lifeboat sped to the last reported location of the casualty and discovered her nearly two miles out to sea. Both paddleboarder and dog, who were uninjured, were taken aboard the lifesaving vessel and back to shore at Budleigh Salterton where she was given suitable safety advice by Exmouth's coastguard. The whole adventure was over within an hour.

Not long after, at 12.30 p.m., also off Budleigh Salterton, an inflatable dinghy with two females on board was spotted drifting out to sea, accompanied by a paddleboarder trying to rescue them. Back out went Exmouth's inshore lifeboat.  Once on scene, it was established that the dinghy had been caught by the wind and tide and disappeared out to sea. It took about 20 minutes before a search tracked them down, about a mile and a half off shore and out of control.

The casualties were taken on board the lifeboat uninjured and returned to Budleigh Salterton where Exmouth's coastguard team were on hand to dish out safety advice. 

This time, the lifeboat hadn't even made it back to Exmouth when the crew receive news of two emergencies involving a kayak and a paddleboard off Sidmouth.  Sidmouth's lifeboat, together with Exmouth coastguard also worked on this shout. But by the time Exmouth's crew reached Sidmouth, all was well and no further assistance was necessary.  

Inshore lifeboat helm Harry Griffin said: “There was a strong offshore breeze off our coastline today and this undoubtedly contributed to the emergencies we attended. It was very fortunate that none of the incidents resulted in more serious consequences and we were able to get to the casualties in good time. Nevertheless, these serve as a timely reminder to all water users to take note of relevant safety advice concerning winds, tides and currents in the area, to use vessels that are suitable for taking to the sea and to be kitted with proper safety and communications equipment at all times when on the water.”

Exmouth RNLI congratulated Ed Steele on what was his first live emergency call as a volunteer crew member.  

RNLI Safety advice concerning paddle boarding can be found at:   https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding

Similar safety advice regarding canoeing and kayaking is at : https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing