At 15.01 today (Thursday), HM Coastguard requested the launch of the Exmouth RNLI lifeboat after receiving a Pan Pan on VHF Ch16. A Pan Pan is a radio message used when life is not in immediate danger, but when urgent assistance is still required.
A 17 foot motor vessel had lost all steerage and was drifting towards cliffs near the Parson & Clerk rock, Holcombe.
Our All-Weather lifeboat, R & J Welburn, launched at 15.15 and made best speed to the location. Upon arriving on scene it was established that the MV Mannin (a local dredging vessel, also responding to the Pan Pan) had secured a tow to the casualty and prevented the immediate danger of it being washed onto the rocks.
Having assessed the situation, the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew took over the tow from the Mannin and returned the vessel, and its two crew, back to its original mooring on the River Exe.
It was subsequently established that the casualty vessel had lost its propellor and therefore its ability to steer. In the circumstances, the crew had done exactly the right thing by quickly making the Pan Pan call and therefore allowing our volunteer RNLI crew and other vessels to render prompt assistance. Our thanks also to the crew of the Mannin for their prompt assistance during this shout.
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