Triple early morning launch for Salcombe RNLI Lifeboats.
At 05:52 am On July 15th 2010 Brixham Coastguard paged the volunteer crew of Salcombe Inshore Lifeboat. They were tasked to the catamaran Jamal who had broken her mooring in heavy winds, inside the Salcombe harbour. On board were a female and three children.
The harbour authority was also notified and in a team effort the catamaran was saved. The casualties on board were transferred to their tender and taken away from their mud stricken catamaran into deep water, where they were looked after by the harbour officials.
Meanwhile, under command of Inshore Lifeboat helmsman James Cooper, Salcombe's Atlantic 75 Lifeboat attached a tow line and pulled the catamaran off the mud, returning it safely to it's mooring, the casualties were then returned to their vessel. The RNLI crew then returned to station, arriving at 06:30 am.
Meanwhile the Salcombe All Weather Tamar class Lifeboat The Baltic Exchange III had launched to a separate incident, with a volunteer crew of 7, under command of Chris Winzar. They had been tasked to a 41ft yacht Opposition. The yacht was battling against heavy seas, when caught by a large wave it's helmsman had fallen and the steering had become damaged. The yachts crew had managed to rig a Jury Rudder (emergency steering), but in the 4-metre swell waves were breaking over the yacht and she was taking on water.
Yacht Opposition put out a pan pan radio alert which Salcombe Lifeboat's deputy launch authority heard on the stations VHF radio. Once on scene the RNLI crew passed a drogue, a devise used to stabilise a vessel under town in heavy seas, however it was too rough for one of the yachts crew to venture out on deck and secure a town line. In the 4-metre swell it was decided that Salcombe Lifeboat should escort the vessel to safer waters.
Salcombe Lifeboat and yacht Opposition reached an area just outside Salcombe Bar called The Range when over the VHF radio reports were coming in of another yacht missing in the Burgh Island area. After a brief discussion with Brixham Coastguard it was agreed that Salcombe's Inshore Lifeboat Joan Bate would be re-launched to take over from the Baltic Exchange III and allow her to make for Burgh Island and assist in the search for the missing yacht Rainbows End.
Salcombe's Inshore Lifeboat was re-launched at 08:13; they met with yacht Opposition in The Range and escorted the vessel over Salcombe Bar where waves were breaking. Meanwhile Salcombe's All Weather Lifeboat made for Burgh Island where they would search towards the river Yealm, where it was believed the missing yacht was heading for. Plymouth Lifeboat would join the search and cover back towards Burgh Island. In 27-knot winds and 4 metre seas there were obvious concerns for the missing yacht that couldn't be reached by VHF radio. Meanwhile the River Yealm's harbour master searched the river Yealm harbour, where the yacht was found safe and well.
Salcombe's All Weather Lifeboat arrived back at station at 10:00 am.
The RNLI are the charity who save lives at sea and they rely on their volunteer crews who remain on call 24 hours a day. Please show your support and visit www.rnli.org.uk to find out how you can make a donation or become involved in the work of the RNLI.
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t2ptv Blooper Reel: Big Boat Series 11, Expeditiousby asht2p10,865 views
Great video! Nice to see videos from this station are being uploaded! Thank you!
RNLIenthusiast 1 year ago