This morning (Sunday 5 October) at 09:15hrs the launch of both Exmouth RNLI lifeboats was requested to reports of a person missing in the water off Budleigh Salterton beach.

The information received advised that four swimmers had entered the water at Budleigh Salterton beach but only three had made it back to the beach. The three swimmers had raised the alarm when their fellow swimmer did not return within 10 minutes and the RNLI Exmouth lifeboats made best speed to the area to begin a search for the missing swimmer.

Our volunteer watchkeepers heard Solent HMCG and Exmouth ILB radio communication referring to the swimmer that had gone missing from Steamer Steps in Budleigh. NCI Exmouth located the swimmer off Budleigh via their CCTV camera and at 09:38hrs they called Solent Coastguard to inform them that NCI could see a swimmer.
Solent told NCI that one of the rescue teams had ‘Eyes On’, and thanked them. By that time the D-class had reached Budleigh, the experienced swimmer had made her own way safely back to the beach and was confirmed to be safe and well.

This shout is called a “false alarm with good intent” and we are always grateful to members of the public for having their eyes on the water and making the call to the coastguard.

At 11.08 A call was received from Falmouth CG requesting any information from our Log on yacht out of Plymouth 8th September on passage to Solent. Not contact with yacht since

At 11.51 After looking back through the paper and electronic logs, Watchkeers reported there was nothing recorded in our Log on missing vessel

At 13.23 Watchkeepers heard call on Ch.16 from HMCG, trying to locate fishing vessel Harvey Grace. No response from vessel

Watchkeepers located the vessel from the lookout

13.30 Watchkeepers called HMCG to confirm that the vessel now visible and under way in the channel

 HMCG monitoring on AIS (automatic identification system). No Further action needed.

Incident: 2nd of SeptemberAt 14.39hrs H.M.Coastguard (HMCG) requested the launch of RNLI Exmouth AWLB to assist a RIB with 7 people on board. It was half a mile off Exmouth and had been swamped by a big wave, which had caused the engine to fail.At 14.40hrs following a request from HMCG to our volunteer watchkeepers, they confirmed the sighting of the casualty RIB with engine failure and taking on water.

At 14.44hrs our watchkeepers observed the RNLI Exmouth AWLB tasked in failing visibility.

At 14.48 NCI Exmouth confirmed the bearing of the casualty vessel to Solent.

By 15.38hrs All casualties had been taken on board the AWLB and we confirmed that it was being towed.

The RNLI crew took the RIB in tow and returned it to Teignmouth before heading back to the lifeboat station.

11.35 RNLI Lifeguards called to report clothing found on Budleigh beach with no sign of swimmer.

11.37 NCI alerted HMCG

12.09 CRT tasked to commence search

12.10 NCI CCTV scanning area

The crews were called out to the beach at around 12.30pm and concerns were raised because lifeguards had raised red flags, indicating conditions were not suitable for swimming.

12.40 ILB launched to begin sea and coastline search

13.20 Despite these searches, no one was found to be in the water and the coastguard stood down the response.

13.40 ILB stood down, and CRT stood down

At 11.13hrs today (Wednesday 27th of August) His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG) advised our watchkeepers that they had received reports from members of the public that a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) had capsized in the Exe River Estuary but there were no visible persons on board.
Using optics and our CCTV cameras, our volunteers confirmed it’s position and at 11.32hrs reported that the Harbour Master was now on scene and the RIB had grounded in surf and had now washed ashore.
At 12.17hrs the incident was concluded as the Harbour Master’s team from Exeter Port Authority were dealing with it. No further action was needed and this was passed onto the Coastguard.

On Sunday 24th of August at 11.04hrs our watchkeepers received a report from a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) who complained of having a jammed throttle off Budleigh Beach. Our volunteers advised them to call His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG) on 999 with full details and their location.

11.06hrs our volunteer watchkeepers contacted HMCG and relayed the information and Solent confirmed that Exmouth RNLI had been tasked.

At 11.10hrs H.M. Coastguard requested that RNLI crews launch to assist a rib reported to be in difficulty near Sandy Bay. The ALB was launched and found that the 5-metre vessel was experiencing engine problems. It was close to the cliffs and an onshore wind meant that it was being blown dangerously close to the rocks. The ILB had also been launched to assist in case the casualty vessel was too close to the rocks for the ALB to get close enough to help. The vessel was towed back to safety at Exmouth marina.

At 11.29hrs our watchkeepers confirmed the casualty vessel was under tow to HMCG.

At 16.20 Watch-keepers observed 2 paddle-boarders, 5-600 meters out from the shore, in the surf covering pole sands. Neither wearing life-jackets. one had fallen off and was struggling to get back on, they had been in the water for about 5 minutes, the other was some distance away.

At 16.25 Watch-keepers contacted the Lifeguards who also had eyes on, and were monitoring the situation.

At 16.30 Watch-keepers contacted the Lifeguards, to update, wasn’t sure if second boarder was heading to shore to get help. Lifeguards confirmed still monitoring and would deploy if need arose.