Both white and red flares were fired after a motorboat suffered an engine fire and lost power off the Exmouth coast in Devon.
The Coastguard asked the crew of Exmouth’s RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat, 13-33 Bridie O’Shea, to investigate after the flares were seen around 2-5 miles off Orcombe Point by people on the coast who called 999.
The lifeboat crew consisted of Deputy Coxswain Roy Stott and members Andy Stott, Robert Thompson, Dave Preece, Scott Ranft and James Edge.
After a brief search, the crew found a 21ft Colvic motorboat. The single occupant had launched the white and red flares after an engine fire. which he later extinguished. The vessel was towed to the Brixham shore.
Roy Stott, says, “It’s always important for members of the public not to think twice about contacting H.M. Coastguard if they notice someone they think is in trouble on the water. In this case, the Coastguard was alerted numerous times to reports of flares being seen out to sea. We were fortunate enough to be able to act swiftly on that information and locate the vessel that had lost all engine and electrical power due to a fire on board.
“It’s always good advice when heading out to sea to ensure that you have multiple means of communication in case of emergency and myself and my crew were pleased to assist in this successful rescue.”
The image shows a member of Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew securing the damaged boat and is credit of RNLI.
Find out why it is important for boaters to carry flares.
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