HM Coastguard requested the launch of the Exmouth RNLI lifeboat on Thursday afternoon following a 999 call from a windsurfer who had experienced equipment failure of his windsurfing rig and was drifting out to sea on the outgoing tide.
The inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II with three volunteer crew launched within five minutes and set out to find the casualty.
The stranded windsurfer had his mobile phone and was able speak to the Coastguard, who were then able to guide the lifeboat crew to his location a few miles south of Orcombe Point. The crew were therefore able to reach him within 15 minutes and bring him onto the safety of the lifeboat.
Speaking following the rescue, windsurfer Carl Sawyer said: ‘Huge thanks and well done to the team. I took some finding out there!’
After a quick welfare assessment, and confirming that he was none the worse for his ordeal, the crew returned him to Exmouth beach where he was met by his mother.
Speaking following the call out, Mike Acred, Exmouth RNLI Launch Authority said: 'We advise all water users to have the right safety equipment such as suitable buoyancy aid and method of communication and to let someone else know where they are going and when they expect to return.
The casualty had followed this advice to the letter and was therefore able to quickly seek help when faced with an equipment failure and his boom snapped. It is for this reason that we able to find him rapidly and return him safely to land.'
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