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.
