Flares helped RNLI crew members rescue the crew of a trawler that was sinking at night off the Devon, UK coast.
Coastguards asked Exmouth and Torbay RNLI All-Weather Lifeboats to launch after receiving a MayDay call from the sinking vessel, 12 miles offshore of Sidmouth. HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 assisted.
The 10-metre catamaran with three fishermen on board keeled over and sank very quickly and they took to a liferaft.
The Exmouth RNLI Shannon lifeboat, R & J Welburn arrived first at the scene and rescued the trio, who were cold but needed no further medical assistance.
They were transferred to the Torbay Severn class lifeboat and brought back to Brixham where they were met by their families.
Exmouth RNLI Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson says, “It was a black night and a short, choppy sea. We were able to see their flares at quite a distance and reach them quickly. Luckily, they had all the correct safety equipment on board that can make all the difference.”
The image of Exmouth RNLI Shannon lifeboat, R & J Welburn, is courtesy of the RNLI.
Source: RNLI
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