RNLI Exmouth volunteer crew rescue distressed woman during routine exercise

Exmouth RNLI were tasked by Portland Coastguards at 6.40pm on Tuesday 8 May to help a woman cut off by the tide at Orcombe Point.

The fortnightly crew training exercise was happening at this time with the all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean in close proximity, with six crew members aboard. The inshore lifeboat George Bearman was launched immediately during light wind and bumpy surf conditions.

The three man crew in the inshore lifeboat reached the woman to bring her to safety as there was a risk of her body temperature dropping further.

The volunteers brought the woman in her 50s from Exeter and her escort, back to the lifeboat station where an ambulance was waiting.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Riley said of David Preece, Helmsman of the inshore lifeboat:

‘He did a cracking job going in and out of the hazardous rocks at Orcombe Point and helping them back to safety.’