0953 A Call from HMCG Solent. They had had two 999 calls from MOP reporting kite surfer in difficulties 100 yds off Orcombe Point. Purple kite. HMCG had already paged Exmouth ILB and CRT. They requested a visual search for surfer. NCI checked the cameras, but could find nothing

1000 ILB launched – surfer was located close to shore – not in difficulties

1016 HMCG stood NCI down

17.45 NCI Contacted HMCG to report a kite surfer having lost sail in wind.

Continued to observe as sail drifted further and confirmed casualty paddling back to shore.

HMCG recorded an abandoned sail

at 09:59 NCI Contacted HMCG to report unmanned kayak drifting, apparently abandoned.
10:00 Advised Harbour Master of same, giving precise location.
No further action required

08.53 NCI asked by HMCG to monitor broken down speedboat and updated them with current position.
09.11 Pan Pan was issued and an updated bearing given to HMCG
09.50 The ILB launched
09.53 Confirmed to HMCG that three PWCs now on scene and commencing tow.
10.11 ILB on scene to assist
10.33 Casualty vessel towed back to estuary.

At 18:41hrs on the Thursday 3rd of September our watchkeepers were called by Solent Coastguard on VHF Ch00. This channel is usually reserved for communication between Search and Rescue assets. His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG) informed NCI Exmouth that they had received a 999 call from a member of the public who had seen a kitesurfer whom they believed to be in difficulty. We were asked to locate the casualty. On using our optics, it could be seen that there were a number of kitesurfers, but none of them looked in distress. We were asked to continue monitoring.

At 18:43hrs we called HMCG and asked for a description of the casualty. We were told he had a red or pink helmet and was with a blue, white and red sail in the kite and they were between the Lifeboat station and Orcombe Point.

We then used our CCTV to locate the area and scanned the region.

At 18:47hrs we were contacted by HMCG who informed us that an off-duty member of the Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, who just happened to be walking his dog along the seafront, when he received the pager alert, had seen the casualty and confirmed that the same individual had self rescued and come ashore. No medical assistance was required and we were stood down.

This shows just how all services are woven integrally and coordinated.

17.54 Call received from HMCG requesting “eyes on” white yacht reported in difficulty off Dawlish by MoP.

18.00 Confirmed no yacht visible and no yacht had left Exmouth since watches began at 0800.

At 09.22 NCI were observing a kite surfer struggling in heavy swell
09.46 Following a call from MoP also concerned about the kitesurfer, NCI continued observation and were concerned re possible fatigue and called HMCG using 999.
10.02 ILB tasked to assist
10.10 Kite surfer making progress and in control. ILB alongside and spoke to the kitesurfer. The ILB was stood down and NCI continued monitoring the kitesurfer until he made his way back to shore.

At 12.58 we were asked by HMCG for a visual on a RIB reportedly adrift in channel. Confirmed visual.

13.00 Observation was maintained as the RSB was taking RIB in tow and at 13.06 HMCG were advised accordingly.

At 18.15hrs on 20th August, our volunteer watchkeepers received a radio call on VHF CH65 from a catamaran declaring that they have no power and were at anchor 5 miles south of Orcombe Point. This was passed to the His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG) by a 999 call. The Coastguard established radio contact with the catamaran and a Pan Pan call was issued at 18.33hrs.

At 18.50hrs, the RNLI Exmouth AWLB, already out on exercise, came alongside and towed the stricken catamaran back to the estuary.

Another successful cooperation between NCI Exmouth, RNLI Exmouth, and the HM Coastguard.