Salcombe RNLI have four call outs in two days

Salcombe RNLI had four call outs in two days, all in "unforgiving temperatures". 

Salcombe RNLI were called to a fishing vessel with mechanical problems, a yacht at anchor, a 30-foot catamaran taking on water and three people and a dog in a tender with engine failure. 

Salcombe's volunteer crew were called out for their first shout of the weekend on Friday, to reports of a 16-foot fishing vessel with one person on board. 

The vessel was located near Gammon Head, a tow line was established and the vessel was taken to the safety of Salcombe Harbour.

The early hours of Saturday morning saw the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) launching again, this time to a yacht at anchor and aground within Salcombe Harbour.

With the skipper of the vessel having concerns for a passenger’s health, it was decided to also launch the RNLI Salcombe Boarding Boat in support. After an assessment of the situation, it was decided "no assistance was required and both boats returned to station".

Later that evening, both the All-weather Lifeboat and Inshore Lifeboat launched to reports of a 30-foot Catamaran with one person onboard taking on water between Bantham and Burgh Island.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "On scene and with a lifeboat crew member onboard the casualty vessel to access the damage, the decision was taken to establish a tow and with an ebb tide flowing, head for the safety of Plymouth Harbour."

While the tow was being established on the catamaran, the ILB found itself being re-tasked to reports of three people and a dog in a yacht tender with engine failure, drifting out to sea from Salcombe Harbour.

The spokesperson continued: "The casualties were located clinging to the rocks near Pound Stone, where they were recovered to the ILB, and the tender towed back to the parent vessel."

The crew could finally call it a night at 2am.