Volunteer crew from Exmouth RNLI assisted in a protracted multi agency search for a missing individual after a vessel sank off Torquay yesterday.
At 11.09am Friday 19th May 2023, H.M. Coastguard tasked the volunteer crew of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat 13-03 R & J Welburn to a report of a 20ft angling boat having sunk off Torquay with two persons reportedly on board. The launch was authorised by Deputy Launch Authority, Rob Anderson.
Torbay RNLI Severn Class Lifeboat 17-28 Alec & Christina Dykes, two H.M. Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Lee-on-Solent and St. Athan, and an H.M. Coastguard fixed wing aircraft and multiple private vessels were already engaged in the search.
The lifeboat launched immediately, manned by lifesavers Steve Hockings-Thompson, Roger Jackson, Guy Munnings, Andrew Stott, James Edge and Roy Stott. They arrived on scene and were tasked to convey one casualty, recovered from the water by Torbay RNLI, to Exmouth Harbour and a waiting ambulance. The casualty was taken ashore by Dep. Coxswain Roger Jackson whose place on board the lifeboat was taken by Geoff Mills.
The lifesavers then returned to the scene where they were tasked to commence a wide area parallel track search over several hours at the last known location of the casualty vessel for a second individual who was still missing.
After extensive coverage of the area by numerous search and rescue assets and other vessels throughout the afternoon and early evening, with nothing being found H.M. Coastguard called off the search at about 7.00pm.
