RNLI lifeboat crews spent nine hours searching the sea and coastline around Torbay after reports that a man had entered the water and disappeared during Storm Austen.
Torbay RNLI worked alongside police, coastguard teams and Exmouth RNLI during the major search operation on Friday, October 23, after CCTV footage reportedly showed a man leaving a hotel near Goodrington wearing shorts and a T-shirt around lunchtime. He did not return, prompting Solent Coastguard to request assistance from lifeboat crews.
Torbay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched at approximately 6.10pm, with crews beginning searches along the shoreline. Exmouth RNLI also responded, launching its Shannon-class lifeboat at 6.35pm to search the water. Coastguard rescue teams and a drone unit searched the coastline.
Conditions were difficult, with winds reaching force five to eight as Storm Austen intensified. Torbay RNLI said the rough seas and challenging weather significantly reduced visibility, making it harder for search teams to locate anyone in or near the water.
The operation was further complicated when Torbay RNLI received a distress call from a fisherman whose small boat had suffered engine failure. The vessel was sheltering beneath the cliffs near London Bridge, but the lifeboat crew managed to tow it safely into the harbour.
Torbay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat carried out a further shoreline search before returning to refuel. As the storm strengthened and conditions deteriorated, the inshore lifeboat was stood down at around 9.10pm.
Searches continued overnight, covering areas including Hope’s Nose, the Mussel Farm and waters further offshore. The operation concluded at approximately 2am, with the all-weather lifeboat returning to the station at around 3.10am after spending more than eight hours at sea.
The search resumed the following morning after Solent Coastguard requested a further operation around Roundham at 11.45am.
Torbay RNLI volunteers were alerted shortly before noon, assembled within minutes and launched at 12.10pm. Two crew members went ashore to search the rocks at Roundham, despite persistent rain, strong westerly to north-westerly winds and turbulent seas.
However, the daylight search also ended without the man being found. The crew returned to the station at 2.48pm, where the lifeboat was prepared for its next callout before volunteers headed home.
Reflecting on the demanding operation, Torbay RNLI praised the commitment of its volunteer crews and the support provided throughout the search.
The lifeboat station said the two callouts had not produced a conclusive outcome, but highlighted the dedication of its volunteers and shore-based support teams during the challenging conditions.
It also thanked crew members’ families, who attended the station to provide returning volunteers with hot drinks and bacon sandwiches after the exhausting overnight operation.
The search highlighted the difficulties faced by emergency services when responding to incidents at sea during severe weather, with Storm Austen creating hazardous conditions for crews working both offshore and along the coastline.
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