RNLI lifeboat crews from Torbay, Exmouth and Teignmouth launched in gale force winds and rain on Monday evening (28 January) to assist in a major search for a lone fisherman who was overdue returning to Brixham harbour.
The alarm was raised at around 7pm when the 19ft fishing vessel JCK with one person aboard hadn’t returned to port as planned. It was last seen travelling past Thatcher Rock near Torquay at 6.25pm.
Torbay all-weather lifeboat Alec and Christina Dykes and inshore lifeboat John William Hirst, Exmouth all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean and Teignmouth inshore lifeboat The Two Annes were all launched to assist in the search for the missing vessel, alongside two Royal Navy frigates, a tug, coastguard rescue teams and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Portland Coastguard. The search was coordinated by Brixham Coastguard.
The teams searched for approximately five hours until Exmouth lifeboat located the fisherman shortly before midnight. He was recovered by Teignmouth RNLI lifeboat crew who then returned to Brixham harbour. All units then returned to station.
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