26/05/2026
Plymouth RNLI volunteers launch 10 times over the past five days
Tuesday 26 May 2026
Volunteer crews from Plymouth RNLI launched 10 times over the past five days to incidents including grounded yachts, machinery failures, medical emergencies and people reported in difficulty on the water.
At 8:38pm on Thursday 21st May, Plymouth RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Annabel E Jones launched immediately at the request of Falmouth Coastguard following reports of a fishing vessel sinking with two people in the water. The casualties were recovered from the water by a pilot boat which had responded to the initial calls for help before being transferred to the inshore lifeboat, where casualty care-trained crew members carried out an assessment. The casualties were then transferred to an MOD Police launch and taken ashore, where they were warmed up at the lifeboat station.
On Saturday 23rd May at 11:30am, Plymouth RNLI’s Severn Class all-weather lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover was diverted from a training exercise to assist a 17ft speedboat experiencing difficulties near Mayflower Marina. The vessel, carrying three people onboard, was escorted safely back to Richmond Walk.
Sunday 24th May at 5:52pm, the inshore lifeboat launched to a 30ft yacht aground on rocks near Wembury Point. All four people onboard were safe and volunteer crew carried out checks on the vessel before plans were made to refloat the yacht on the rising tide, which was due approximately two hours later, alongside the all-weather lifeboat.
At 7:23pm, the inshore lifeboat was re-tasked to a rigid inflatable boat suffering engine failure in Whitsand Bay. On arrival, the casualty vessel was underway and volunteer crew escorted the vessel safely back into Plymouth. The lifeboat later relaunched at 8:15pm to rejoin the grounded yacht incident.
At 8:18pm, the all-weather lifeboat launched to assist with the recovery operation. The inshore lifeboat transferred two crew members from the all-weather lifeboat to assist with anchor recovery and to ensure there was no water ingress. Once in safe waters, both lifeboats escorted the casualty vessel into Plymouth. The all-weather lifeboat returned to station near Mount Batten, with the inshore lifeboat escorting the yacht to Yacht Haven Marina.
Monday 25th May at 1:57pm, the inshore lifeboat launched to a yacht anchored in Cawsand Bay following reports of a woman suffering a medical episode onboard. Two casualty care-trained crew members were transferred to the vessel, where they carried out an assessment. The casualty was then brought aboard the lifeboat and transported to a waiting ambulance at Millbay Marina.
Further taskings followed throughout the evening. At 7:03pm, the all-weather lifeboat launched to a yacht suffering engine failure near the Great Mewstone and towed the vessel safely back to Queen Anne’s Battery. At 7:59pm, the all-weather lifeboat launched again to a motor vessel with machinery failure south of Rame Head already being assisted by another vessel. The all-weather lifeboat took over the tow and brought the casualty vessel safely back to Millbay Marina.
At 9:29pm, the inshore lifeboat launched to reports of two paddleboarders in difficulty near Blackstone Rocks off Wembury Point. The casualties were located safe and well before the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
As crew were debriefing and getting changed following the previous tasking, at 10:18pm the inshore lifeboat was requested by HM Coastguard to launch and assist Devon & Cornwall Police, South Western Ambulance Service and Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team.
The exceptionally warm weather, combined with the bank holiday weekend and half-term school holidays, led to increased activity on the water throughout the period.
Nigel Gray, Plymouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘This has been a particularly busy few days for our volunteer crews, with incidents ranging from machinery breakdowns and grounded yachts to medical emergencies and people reported in difficulty in the water. We’d encourage anyone heading onto the water to make sure their vessel is well prepared, carry suitable safety equipment and always wear a lifejacket.
‘Our volunteer crew make themselves available 24/7 so we can launch whenever we’re requested. My thanks go to our crew for their commitment, and to their families and employers for the continued support that makes this possible.’
📷 RNLI / Cameron Hicks
