RNLI Salcombe’s ALB and ILB Lifeboats launched today in response to a PanPan call from a single-handed 8m motorboat with engine failure, close to the rocks near Start Point. On scene the ILB evacuated a male casualty and transferred him to the ALB for further assessment, returning to recover the casualty vessel.

Both casualty and casualty vessel were brought into the safety of Salcombe Harbour.

Salcombe ILB launched in response to reports of a motorboat with three persons on board having run out of petrol close to Gerston Point. The ILB was soon alongside, attaching a line and towing the boat and crew back to Salcombe, where the Deputy Harbour Master met them.

ILB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB tasked with immediate launch to reports of a person swept off the causeway at Burgh Island. Coastguard confirmed that other assets had also been tasked to the incident, and in the current weather conditions the ALB may have to stand off. Shortly after launch the ALB was stood down following conformation a RNLI lifeguard had rescued the casualty.

The ALB returned to station and readied for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to reports of a 24’ motorboat having suffered engine failure between Starehole and Salcombe Bar with 2 POB. Having assessed the situation, it was decided to take the vessel under tow and bring it into the safety of the Normandy Pontoon.

The ILB returned to station and readied for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to reports of two swimmers in difficulty off Burgh Island. Shortly after launch the ILB was stood down by the Coastguard, following reports both swimmers had been successfully recovered by the Burgh Island Sea tractor.

ILB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to reports of 12m, racing yacht with 2POB taking on water 6nm Southwest of Bolt Head. On scene the casualty crew confirmed the vessels pumps were able to manage the water levels, whilst remaining on a Starboard tack towards Plymouth. ALB escorted yacht to Plymouth and handed over to Plymouth ILB at the breakwater.

ALB returned to station at 01:30 and made ready for service.

Both Salcombe ALB and ILB lifeboats tasked on Search and Rescue duties following reports of a SUP with owner, being blown out to sea off Thurlestone rock. Shortly after launch both lifeboats were stood down, following reports from the Coast Guard that the casualty had been brought back to shore by a vessel already in the area.

Both lifeboats returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB launched in response to a ‘Pan Pan’ call from a single handed 8.5m sailing yacht, 17.5 Nm SE of Salcombe reporting fire in engine bay and taking on water. On scene the crew were able to establish no danger from fire and water ingress under control. Casualty vessel taken in tow and returned to Salcombe.

ALB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to assist a 5m RIB in difficulty below Tara Rock with 2 adults, 2 boys and 2 dogs onboard. Upon arrival the lifeboat found all casualties had managed to reach the beach but were wet and very cold. With a tow line fixed to the RIB the ILB was able to bring the vessel back to the safety of Salcombe Harbour. A Kingsbridge CG team assisted casualties to safety.

ILB returned to station washed down, refuelled, and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB self-launched this evening in response to an urgent request for help from a vessel having arrived alongside Whitestrand, with a casualty having sustained an injury in a Water-Skiing accident. The crew were able to administer pain relief and immobilise the limb, prior to onward private transportation to hospital.

ILB returned to station. Washed down and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB tasked to reports of a medical emergency aboard a yacht 5nm Southeast of Start Point, with a crew member onboard with a back injury, following a fall. On scene two members of the lifeboat crew transferred to the yacht to assess the condition of the casualty. Following discussions with the Coast Guard and taking the casualties condition into account, it was decided to leave both crew members aboard the yacht and with the ALB alongside head for Dartmouth where medical assistance would be waiting.

Once in Dartmouth, Salcombe ALB recovered its crew from yacht, returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB launched at the request CG to reports of a Sick Diver in a position just off Burgh Island.  On route it became clear that both Plymouth ILB and Rescue 924 had also been tasked. The casualty was recovered by the Plymouth ILB and was being transferred for onward transport by Ambulance. Salcombe ALB was stood down to return to station.

ALB returned to Salcombe, was washed down and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB made an urgent launch to assist a sailing yacht, reported to have lost its prop and shaft and taking on water, off Bolt Tail. On scene and in contact with the casualty it became apparent that the problem was not as serious as first thought. Two ALB crew boarded the yacht together with a salvage pump, and quickly stemmed the flow. Casualty proceeded under her own power, escorted by the ALB, into Salcombe, Normandy pontoon.

With the casualty vessel safely alongside, the ALB returned to station and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched at the request of the Coastguard to locate a 50ft yacht with one person on board and engine failure, drifting in the vicinity of Mill Bay beach within Salcombe Harbour. With the vessel located and despite the restricted room, a tow was established, and the yacht brought into Salcombe Harbour and moored on Normandy pontoon. With the yacht having previously been moored alongside another yacht the ALB returned to the area, located the second yacht, and again brought this vessel back alongside Normandy pontoon.

Once it was confirmed all persons were in good shape, the ALB returned to her berth and was made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB launched following Coastguard request to assist a 6m RIB with 2 persons on board, struggling and making no headway in the vicinity of Start Point. Shortly after launch the CG received a VHF call from the casualty vessel saying they had arrived at the entrance to Salcombe Harbour, the tasking was then cancelled. The ALB continued down the harbour located the casualty and confirmed all was well.

ALB returned to station and made ready for service.

While on exercise within Salcombe Harbour, Salcombe ILB received a call from the Harbour Authority asking if they could attend a yacht moored in the harbour with a male casualty on board, who had an earlier fall overboard. During the incident the casualty had sustained a minor injury to his wrist, following an assessment of the injury by an ILB crew member, it was agreed he should attend the local minor injury hospital in the morning.

The ILB concluded their exercise and returned to station.

Salcombe and Torbay ALB lifeboats launched into extremely challenging conditions, 3metre swells, strong winds and rough seas, to assist in a search for a 32ft yacht with a lone sailor aboard reported to be in difficulty. Following an extensive search, located the vessel southwest of Start Point. With concern for the welfare of the skipper who was not responding to communications, a decision was taken to establish a towline and head for the nearest safest harbour, Dartmouth. The tow was transferred to Dart RNLI at the entry to Dartmouth harbour.

ALB returned to station at 5.30am, after more than 6hrs at sea. The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB launched at the request of the Coast Guard following reports of a vessel in difficulties/distress somewhere in Frogmore creek. After an extensive search and with nothing found. Following information received from a member of the public that it had been a false alarm with good intent. The ILB was stood down by CG.

ILB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB Launched in response to multiple reports of 3 children in the water and being swept out to sea in the vicinity of the River Erme. Also tasked was a Coast Guard helicopter and Plymouth ALB. Whilst a thorough search of the area was underway the CG confirmed that three 13yr. olds had been recovered and were in the care of the ambulance service. ILB and RNLI Plymouth made another sweep of the area to confirm there were no further casualties in the vicinity. With the CG satisfied all was well, both lifeboats and helicopter, were stood down.

Salcombe ILB returned to station, refuelled, and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to reports of a 23ft fishing vessel that had reported running out of fuel in the vicinity of Start Point. Whilst proceeding to the original location a correction was passed with a true location being Bolt Tail and having Hope Cove Independent Lifeboat on scene. With the casualty vessel no longer in danger Salcombe ILB was stood down.

ILB returned to station. Refuelled and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to reports of a Laser dinghy in difficulties 4nm SE of Prawle Point, with one person on board. On scene and with unfavourable sea conditions, the decision was made to launch the ALB Y boat to assist the casualty back into the safety of Salcombe Harbour.

Both lifeboats returned to the lifeboat station and readied for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to reports from both a yacht moored off the Salcombe Yacht Club, and a dinghy in the area, of someone in the water and shouting for help. ILB proceeded to the last known location and found the casualty, had been assisted by another vessel in the harbour, and was now on the East Portlemouth Ferry slipway. With the casualty requiring no medical assistance and there was a “responsible person” to monitor him, the ILB was stood down.

ILB returned to station refuelled and readied for service.

Salcombe ILB tasked by the Coast Guard to assist in a search for a person seen entering the water at South Sands, fully clothed and who had not been seen since. Whilst conducting a search of the area, CG requested ILB go into standby mode after a report of the casualty having been located ashore. With police having taken control of the situation, the ILB was stood down.

ILB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB responded to a Coast Guard report of a single orange/red Kayak appearing to be in difficulty somewhere between Mill Bay and Tara Rock. In a search of the harbour the ILB spotted one possible candidate, but they were not in any difficulty. The search continued as far as Prawle Point before returning to search the eastern side of the harbour entrance back to North Sands.  With nothing found the ILB was stood down.

ILB returned to station washed down, fuelled and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to assist 42′ sailing yacht with 2 persons onboard 2.5Nm South of Salcombe Bar, with power failure and restricted steering. The vessel was quickly located and assisted into Salcombe and secured on Normandy pontoon.

ALB returned to its berth and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB tasked to assist in a search for a missing person, believed to be in the vicinity of Cathole Point, near Soar Mill Cove. Upon arrival at scene, ALB commenced a shoreline search heading West from Soar Mill Cove. Shortly after commencement of search, the Coast Guard shore team confirmed the missing person had been located safe and well.

ALB stood down and returned to station and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB & ILB launched to reports of a small RIB with adults and children onboard and in difficulty on the Salcombe Bar. Upon arrival at the scene, it was found a 3m tender with engine problems had capsized with three adults, four young children and a dog onboard. Casualties transferred to the ALB and medically assessed. Casualties returned to Station, warmed up and further assessed, before being reunited with other family members.

Casualty vessel taken under tow by the ILB and moored alongside Normandy Pontoon

Salcombe ALB launched to support other a search and rescue assets, including both Plymouth lifeboats, who had been searching through the night, for a swimmer reported missing at about 23:00 the previous night in Plymouth Harbour off the Hoe. After carrying out a series of search patterns and with nothing found Salcombe ALB was stood down.

Lifeboat returned to Salcombe refuelled and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to a 13m FV one mile south of Bolt Head with steering gear failure. With serious risk to casualty so close to Bolt Head, a tow was quickly established. Due to rough conditions over Salcombe Bar, the decision was made to tow casualty to its home port, Plymouth. Once inside Plymouth breakwater, a second tow line was established from the bow of Plymouth ALB to the casualty’s stern. Salcombe ALB continued to tow the casualty into harbour.

Salcombe ALB returned to Salcombe, refuelled, and readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to assist a small fishing vessel with one elderly POB unsure of his position, very cold and confused. After a short search, the casualty vessel was in the proximity of the Skerries Buoy. Casualty was transferred to the ALB, warmed, and taken directly to Dartmouth, to be reunited with family. Dart Lifeboat were also tasked to the incident, they took over responsibility for the casualty vessel.

Salcombe Lifeboat returned to Salcombe where she was readied for service.

Salcombe ALB launched to assist a 38ft sailing vessel with 3 POB, in difficulties 2nm East of the harbour entrance. On scene the vessel was found to have lost its headsail and its engine had failed, leaving it with its main sail only. Due to poor weather conditions the Salcombe ILB was launched to assist in the berthing of the casualty vessel.

With the casualty safely moored. Both lifeboats returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ALB tasked to assist FV with engine failure just outside Salcombe Harbour. Due to the weather conditions & proximity to the shore, CG also tasked the Helo and CRT also. ALB was quickly on scene and had a tow line onboard the casualty, then towed her towards Salcombe Harbour. When the FV managed to restart her engines on route, the tow was dropped.

ALB continued to escort the casualty into Harbour.

Salcombe ALB tasked, along with CG Helo, to assist a fishing vessel 27Nm SW of Salcombe and requiring assistance with two casualties on board. On scene and working alongside the Helo Paramedic, one casualty was airlifted and transferred to hospital. The second was transferred to the lifeboat and brought back into Salcombe.

ALB returned to station and made ready for service.

Salcombe ILB launched to assist a capsized sailing vessel, and one person in the water, near Smalls Cove. Also on scene was the East Portlemouth ferry with an adult male in the water and hanging onto the hull. ILB assisted in getting the casualty safely back ashore before returning to recover the casualty vessel. Ashore RNLI shore crew ensured casualty had access to shower, tea, and dry clothes.

ILB returned to station and made ready for service.