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.

At 14.55 A call was received from HMCG requesting visual on a speedboat reported adrift in the channel, with 4 people on board.

Watchkeepers were able to confirmed the sighting and give a precise position to HMCG

At 15.00 The ILB was tasked

At 15.18 The speedboat was towed to safety.

At 13.34 10th August, Watch Keepers contacted the RNLI Life Guards to advise of two swimmers observed in the busy channel on outgoing spring tide.

The Lifeguards attended on PWC.

At 13.37 Watch keepers maintained observation until all safely ashore

At 12.20 on Sunday 27th July, watch-keepers observed an inflatable boat possibly a RIB with four persons on board apparently drifting towards Pole Sans sandbank. The boat was observed to be in poor condition, with the tubes under inflated, and appeared grounded.

At 12.32 Watch-keepers advised HMCG and were asked to continue monitoring. Watch-keepers also informed Border Force.

At 12.58 Watch-keepers informed the Harbour Master who tasked their RIB to investigate.

At 13.45 HM RIB contacted casualties now stranded on ebbing tide but in no immediate danger, and were awaiting incoming tide to re-float.

At 15.45 HMCG requested an update and watch-keepers confirmed the situation was unchanged.

At 17.00 Watch-keepers observed it was a RIB and was beginning to re-float on the rising tide but without a functioning engine. But made slow headway west towards the Marina

At 17.10 RIB in the sanctuary of the estuary and under way again. watch-keepers updated HMCG.

At 08.20 on Sunday 27th July, our watch-keepers took a call from a Member of Public, who was operating a RIB at Budleigh Salterton. The RIB had a broken pull cord.

At 08.25 the RIB was located on CCTV, and watch-keepers advised HMCG, watch-keepers continued monitring of the RIB, while the casualty was contacted by HMCG on mobile.

At 08.27 The engine was restarted.

At 18:55 on 25th July, HMCG (Coastguard) telephone the NCI lookout for assistance.

A member of the public had contacted them with reports of youths tombstoning from the end of the marina.

Our wachkeepers were unable to confirm any sighting of this, neither were they able to contact the Marina Office.

Reported back to HMCG.

More information on tombstoning here >>