At 10.39am this morning Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch by H.M Coastguard to a drifting motor vessel in very challenging conditions.
At 10.39am this morning Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch by H.M Coastguard to a drifting motor vessel in very challenging conditions.
Prior to launch it was requested that they confirm no persons were onboard the vessel. The Exmouth RNLI relief all-weather lifeboat, 13-32 David & Ruth Arthur, with six volunteer crew onboard, therefore launched into the severe Storm Darragh weather conditions, with sustained wind speeds of 60mph+ (58 knots) and challenging seas.
Upon arriving at the vessel they quickly confirmed that no persons were onboard. The Exmouth Coxswain monitored the vessel’s progress for a period of time before making the assessment that its ongoing movement would present a hazard to navigation and needed to be addressed.
The Coxswain was then able to skilfully manoeuvre the lifeboat alongside the drifting vessel in difficult breaking swell and, after a number of attempts, was able to safely place a crew member onboard.
The lifeboat volunteers then worked together to secure a tow to the vessel and take it under control for a slow tow back to Exmouth Marina, where they were met by volunteer colleagues from the local Coastguard Rescue teams.
Satisfied that the vessel was secured alongside, the cold and wet volunteers returned to the station at 1.10pm to wash down the lifeboat and prepare it for its next service.
Mike Gall, Exmouth RNLI Launch Authority said:
‘A good result in difficult conditions. The RNLI would always urge the need for all boat owners to ensure that the ground and deck tackle on their vessels is suitably robust to deal with forecast weather conditions.’
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