Exmouth RNLI’s all weather lifeboat Margaret Jean was tasked by Brixham Coastguards on Wednesday, March 17th at 5.54pm after a Mayday call was received. This was the first call out for the all weather lifeboat since the new Exmouth RNLI boathouse became fully operational in November 2009.
Torbay and Exmouth all weather lifeboats were called to assist in a search of the area after Brixham Coastguards received one Mayday call on VHF radio channel 16. Coordinates from the call indicated it had come from somewhere between Torbay and Orcombe point, a 13 mile stretch of coastline.
With zero visibility, Exmouth’s all weather lifeboat Margaret Jean carried out the search using radar. After a three hour search, nothing untoward was found and the volunteer crew returned to the boathouse.
Kevin Riley, Lifeboat Operations Manager said; “A diligent search was carried out in adverse conditions with zero visibility. There was good co-ordination carried out by Brixham Coastguards and Torbay Lifeboats. The crew here at Exmouth were carriage launched in ten minutes and on scene by fifteen. Compared to the Trent, I would estimate launch time was cut down by 40%”
Tim Mock, Coxwain at Exmouth RNLI added; ”We were more than ready for our first launch as we have been training intensively for the last few months. The whole process went very well and a great credit to all our crew and new launching crew. The search was quite intensive with virtually no visibility requiring high levels on concentration on chart work, radar and the navigation plotter.”
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