12/09/12 – Launched to rescue sailor in upturned dinghy in Hope Cove, righted boat and returned both to beach.
01/09/12 – Launched to search for 6 overdue canoeists Bolt Tail. All discovered safe and well and escorted to beach.
20/08/12 – Launched to swimmer in difficulty at Soar Mill Cove.
03/08/12 – Called out on rapidly rising spring tide and poor weather to recover overturned dinghy and sailor from just offshore south of Hope Cove. Both recovered and returned to Harbour Beach.
03/06/12 – Called out late afternoon in heavy seas, sea state 5 wind force 6 to search the Avon Estuary for missing person in kayak from Aveton Gifford. Stood down when person returned 3 plus hours overdue. Boat recovered from Bantham and returned by road to Hope Cove.
14/05/12 – Called out mid afternoon to help with search for missing person in and around River Avon, crew assembled and boat taken to slipway, stood down just prior to launch.
21/04/12 – Early on Saturday afternoon the Hope Cove Life Boat was requested to launch to attend an incident off Bantham beach. Although the weather was sunny there was a stiff breeze and a strong swell, a wind surfer had encountered difficulty. The boat reached the incident area in just over 10 minutes where it was able to assist some other surfers to help their colleague. The boat stood by until all were safely ashore before returning to base.
25/03/12 - The warm weather has understandably brought visitors to the seaside, and for the third time in as many days the Hope Cove Life Boat was called in to action to help those in difficulty. All three have had happy endings as earlier today the boat was called to assist the local Coastguard in the Yealm area who were involved in the rescue of a dog stranded in Aymer cove just off Toby Point. Responding with the usual speed the crew arrived on scene to assist the Coastguard, and the dog owner, to pluck the dog from the waves and back to safety on dry land. The crew this time included another trainee on his first ‘shout’. 18 year old Joe Brocklebank was part of the team joining his 20 year old colleague, Adam Burke, with some ‘live action’ under his belt. Congratulations and well done to both of them.
24/03/12 – The second shout of the season took place within 24 hours of the former, and was again a call to assist stranded canoeists. A man and his daughter had been caught in ‘swell’ off Yarmer beach and were thrown from their inflatable craft. The Lifeboat was on the scene quickly, and in quite difficult conditions ( bearing in mind the state of the tide, swell and rocks ) managed to get both casualties in to the boat. Both were suffering severe hypothermia and were quickly ferried to the boathouse where trained responders administered first aid. At the same time the MCA helicopter was called and, with the assistance of the local coastguard, landed on the beach in order to whisk the two casualties to Derriford Hospital, where both made a full recovery. A well coordinated operation, which had it not been for the swift response of the Lifeboat may have ended differently. It was a baptism of ‘fire’ for one of our new crew members, 20 year old Adam Burke, who was on his first ever live ‘shout’
23/03/12 - Hope Cove Life Boat were called in to action for the initial ‘shout’ of the season when two canoeists encountered difficulty off Challaborough Beach. Having paddled down the river Avon and around Burgh Island a young man and lady became caught by the ‘swell’ which overturned their inflatable canoe about 200 metres off the shore. Both were well equipped but the strength of the sea prevented them from being able either to ‘right’ their canoe or make headway to the beach. Bigbury Coastguard alerted the MCA at Brixham who requested the Hope Cove Life Boat to launch. They picked up the couple and their canoe and took them safely to dry land where they were treated for slight shock and mild hypothermia by the Bigbury Coastguard team. From the initial call out to arriving at the casualties took just under 15 minutes, and although the boat needs only three crew it was interesting to note that nine responded to the shout and were able to assist with launching and recovery, a pleasing testimony to the benefits of the winter training sessions.
Some of our 2011 Rescues
30/05/11 – Called to small pleasure craft off Bolberry Down with engine problems. Five people on board. Towed back to Hope Cove.
31/05/11 – Called to Fishing Boat with fishing net wrapped around propeller. Three crew on Board. Towed towards Plymouth and handed over to Plymouth AWLB to return to Sutton Harbour.
31/07/11 – Small sailing boat unable to make way as caught in tide off Bolt Tail - towed into Hope Cove.
01/08/11 – Two missing Kayaks (father and son), caught by tidal flow found in river Avon by HCLB and recovered back to Bigbury.
02/08/11 – Boat with three persons and a dog on board towed back to Outer Hope after engine failure.