Busy bank holiday for Exmouth RNLI

Three shouts. Everyone safe.

It proved to be a busy bank holiday for Exmouth's lifeboat crew.

One day. Three shouts.

It started just before noon when a 999 call alerted the coastguard to a report of a kitesurfer in distress around a third of a mile off the town's RNLI HQ on the seafront. Lifeboat crew and RNLI lifeguards patrolling Exmouth beach swing into action.

The casualty was quickly located, taken on board a boat and to the safety of shore. He was cold but uninjured and didn't need medical attention.

The lifeboat crew hardly had time to take their oilskins off and boil the kettle when they were called again less than an hour later.

This time a 16ft sailing boat with engine failure was reported as being unable to make progress and drifting about a quarter of a mile off the National Coastwatch Tower on the middle section of Exmouth beach.

When they reached the boat, the RNLI crew decided the vessel couldn't make headway in the channel and was drifting towards Pole Sands and thus a hazard to other water users.

They towed the boat into to the River Exe where it was safely anchored. None of the occupants were injured or required medical help.

It didn't stop there. Two hours later, volunteers in the Exmouth RNLI shop received a phone call from parents reporting their son in difficulty and exhausted on Pole Sands. 

This shout was more problematic, with lifeboat crew unable to find the missing person. One member of the crew went ashore and made enquiries with members of the public in the area, but to no avail. 

Although they kept looking, it was in vain, but not the tragedy it could have been. The person had returned home and was safe and well.

The lifeboat returned to the station and was back on service a short time later.

The RNLI remind everyone: "If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should always call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. When you take a craft to sea, always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Always wear a lifejacket and take a means of calling for help."