A Plymouth RNLI volunteer crew member was taken to hospital after a lifeboat capsized in terrifying conditions at sea.
The incident unfolded late on Monday evening off the coast near Wembury, as volunteer lifeboat crews battled violent conditions in darkness while assisting HM Coastguard.
During the major search and rescue operation, Plymouth RNLI had launched both its inshore lifeboat and all weather lifeboat.
It followed a request from Devon and Cornwall Police, after concerns for the welfare of a teenage boy reported missing from the Wembury area.
As the search intensified along the shoreline, the smaller daughter craft known as the Y boat was launched from the station’s Severn class all weather lifeboat to allow crews to get closer to the coast.
A 'larger than normal' set of waves engulfed the Y boat without warning, causing it to capsize and throwing two volunteer crew members into the water.
Both volunteers were swiftly recovered from the water by Plymouth’s inshore lifeboat. One crew member was taken to Derriford Hospital as a precaution and was discharged shortly after being assessed.
Despite the frightening ordeal, the lifeboat crew continued the shoreline search until the operation was stood down by HM Coastguard a short time later.
Due to the severe sea state, the capsized Y boat could not be recovered immediately. It was later retrieved once conditions improved and returned to the lifeboat station, where it is now undergoing assessment and repairs.
Both Plymouth’s all weather and Inshore lifeboats remain ready to respond to emergencies.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has confirmed that it is investigating the circumstances into the incident.
A spokesperson for the MAIB said:
“An incident involving an RNLI vessel was reported to the MAIB shortly after it occurred.
"The MAIB is awaiting further information to understand more about the circumstances and a decision on whether any further action will be taken will be made once the information has been reviewed."
A spokesperson for the RNLI told Plymouth Plus:
"On Monday evening (December 15) Plymouth RNLI volunteers launched both their inshore and all-weather lifeboats on the request of HM Coastguard to assist in a shoreline search for a missing person.
"Whilst conducting the search, the smaller daughter boat, called the Y boat, was launched from the station’s Severn class all weather lifeboat to access a closer view of the shore.
"Unfortunately, during the search, a larger than normal set of waves engulfed the Y boat and caused it to capsize leaving two crew members in the water.
"The RNLI trains and equips its volunteer crew to deal with unexpected situations in the water and thanks to their training both volunteers were recovered quickly from the water by the Inshore lifeboat.
"One crew member was checked over at the local hospital and was discharged shortly after assessment. The lifeboat crew continued the shoreline search until stood down a short time later by HM Coastguard.
"Due to the weather and sea conditions the Y boat could not be recovered initially but was later recovered and returned to station where assessment and repairs are being carried out.
"Both Plymouth’s all-weather and Inshore lifeboats remain on service."
Sign up for free below to get notified of all the latest breaking news from Plymouth Plus.
