A busy year is brewing for Appledore RNLI

With the summer period only just starting, Appledore RNLI has already had 21 emergency shouts this year for people in difficulty in, or by, the water.

The type of emergencies we have responded to is wide ranging, from swimmers, kite surfers and kayakers in difficulty to people cut off by the tide, broken down or drifting vessels, to a person fallen down a cliff, people washed into the sea during a storm, and multiagency police incidents.

Our most recent three shouts provide examples.

During lunchtime on Sunday 19 May the Boarding Boat was launched to a report of two adults and a dog cut off on a sand bank in the River Taw, Barnstaple side of Crow Point.

The tide was on its way in and they were already surrounded by water.

When the crew arrived on scene it was discovered that the ‘dog’ was in fact a child, and that the adults and child had managed to get themselves safety to shore.

The crew checked that all was well before returning to Station.

At 5.45, in the early hours of Thursday 23 May, the inshore lifeboat was requested to attend Yelland Jetty area to assist a 22 foot yacht.

On arrival on scene it was found that the vessel was temporally tied to the jetty but the single-handed skipper, who was returning from four days at sea, was requesting help to reach a nearby mooring.

The tides were strong springs approaching high tide and both of his boat engines were inoperable.

Due to exhaustion and a reported health condition, the lifeboat towed the yacht to the nearby mooring and took the yachtsman ashore to his nearby van.

At lunchtime, Sunday 26th May, Falmouth Coastguards requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat in response to a report received from Woolacombe Lifeguards that two people on an inflatable kayak, some distance off the shore from Baggy Point, appeared to be in difficulty.

The Lifeguards were sending their Jet Ski but requested back up from the inshore lifeboat.

This was launched immediately, but on arrival on scene the lifeguards reported seeing the kayak heading back to shore, and were happy for the crew to stand down and return to station.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if they see anyone in difficulty on, or by, the water, to please call 999 and ask for the Coastguards.

The volunteer crew would much prefer to be called out to help someone, and the situation turns out to be a false alarm made with good intent, than not to be called when someone really needs our help.

The RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea this year and as part of the celebrations Appledore RNLI Sea Sunday event will take place on Sunday 16 June.

Our Tamar class all-weather lifeboat will be tied alongside Appledore Quay (shouts permitting) from 1.30 pm for anyone who wishes to go on board, have a look around and meet some of the crew.

The Fundraising Crew will be manning a BBQ, Appledore Band will be playing, and at around 3o’clock there will be a short service of thanksgiving.

The RNLI is a charity receiving no public funding and as such has been reliant for its 200 years of service, not only on its volunteer crew, but on fundraising, donations and legacies.

Events run by our Fundraising Guild this summer include a ‘Tea at Tapeley’, the annual Clovelly to Appledore sponsored walk, and a special bicentenary black tie dinner at the Barnstaple Hotel.

Details can be found on the RNLI Appledore Fundraising website: https://www.rnliappledore.org.uk