On Thursday 30 October 2014 at 8.32pm, Brixham Coastguard requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat Joan Bate to carry out a search for an overdue 17ft RIB with one person on board. Due to the fog and very poor visibility, the Coxswain decided that the all-weather lifeboat was required as well and so The Baltic Exchange III was also launched. The inshore lifeboat and the three volunteer crew aboard started searching the Eastern side of the harbour entrance before crossing the estuary to conduct a search of the Western side from Queens Head around to South Sands, North Sands to Castle Point. The all-weather lifeboat with eight volunteer crew aboard proceeded out of the harbour to commence a search for the overdue 17ft RIB. With visibility less than one boat length at less than 16 metres, night vision goggles and search lights along with paralume flares were used by the crew during the shore line search from Limebury Point towards Prawle Point. When the second paralume flare was let off, sounds were heard on the bow of the all-weather lifeboat by a crew member and using the night vision goggles, the casualty was located at 9.07pm safely at anchor close to Gammon Head, to the West of Prawle Point. The casualty was brought on board the all-weather lifeboat and checked over by the Doctor on board, who found nothing wrong other than being a little cold. A tow was established with the RIB and the casualty vessel and casualty were brought ashore, returning back to the station at 9.50pm. The RIB had suffered gearbox failure and the young man made the correct decision to drop the anchor and stay where we was. Unfortunately due to the poor visibility, the flares which the casualty had let off, where not seen by anyone. The young mans family who were waiting at the station along with non sea going crew were obviously very happy to see the 16 year old and the volunteer crew upon their return. On Friday evening, the whole family came back to the station to meet the Coxswain and volunteer crew who were involved in the search and thanked everyone by giving the crew home made brownies and making a donation to the Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat Station. The two launches took the stations tally to 53 launches this calendar year to date.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:03:58 +0000