Only 14 days into the month of August, and already the volunteer crews of Salcombe RNLI are seeing a sharp increase in calls

The inshore lifeboat launched on August 5 at 12.10pm to assist with a medical emergency within the harbour. After stabilising the casualty, with the assistance other medical professionals, the casualty was transferred to a waiting ambulance and transported to a waiting air ambulance.

Then on August 13 just before 8pm the lifeboat was put back into action to reports of a vessel unable to start its engine in Starehole Bay, and close into the rocks. The lifeboat located the casualty, started the vessels engine and escorted the casualty back to its mooring in Salcombe Harbour.

It’s also been an extremely busy time for the all-weather lifeboat.

On August 3 the lifeboat was paged at 2.20pm to search for an overdue fishing boat whose last known location was some 15 miles south of Salcombe. The vessel was eventually located near to the coast of Guernsey. On August 4 at 4.15pm the crew launched to locate a 24ft powerboat three miles south of Start Point. Once located, the casualty was towed back to Salcombe.

On August 9, the all-weather lifeboat launched at 3.50pm to a 33ft fishing vessel with engine failure two miles south of Prawle Point with two people on board. Upon arrival a tow was established, and the vessel brought back to Salcombe.

Less than 24 hours later at 2.10pm on August 10 it was launched again to a 28ft powerboat with engine failure just south of the Gregory rocks, the vessel was located, and a tow established, and brought back to Salcombe.

Then the following day on August 12 at 4.15pm the lifeboat was tasked to locate a small dinghy reported to be drifting with no occupant 12 miles south east of Start Poin. The vessel was not located after a lengthy search in conjunction with Coastguard helicopter. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to Salcombe.

On August 13 at 7.30am the lifeboat launched to locate a 16ft boat with no occupant south of Start Point. The vessel was located, and a short search commenced, then the volunteers were finally stood down by the Coastguard.

On Friday 13 July, RNLI Salcombe launched both the all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat, to reports of medical incident on the rocks near Gammon Head.

Once on scene and alongside the rocks two volunteer inshore lifeboat (ILB) crew were able transfer to the rock to assess the casualty’s condition. Upon examination the volunteer crew, both with casualty care training, confirmed the casualty had sustained back injuries consistent with those of a heavy fall on rocks and was in considerable pain.

To help stabilise and secure the casualty, extra resources were obtained from the all-weather lifeboat (ALB), including a basket stretcher, pain relief and another crew member. Once stabilised the crew were able to execute a smooth transfer of the casualty from the rocks to the ILB and then on to the ALB for continued casualty care and return to shore.

Upon arrival into Salcombe Harbour the casualty remained onboard the ALB awaiting the arrival of an ambulance for onward transfer to Torbay Hospital.

Sunday 24th June 2018 was a very special day for RNLI Salcombe Mechanic and eleven year veteran Sam Viles and his wife Paula.

For Salcombe Lifeboats it was a honour to host the Christening of Sam and Paula’s first child Iris, aboard the Salcombe All Weather Lifeboat, The Baltic Exchange III.

Best wishes go to Sam, Paula & Iris from the Crew at Salcombe Lifeboats.