Storms see Waterways team called into action on Exe Estuary

Stormy weather saw a number of boats rescued in the Exe Estuary over the last week.

Exeter City Council’s Waterways team was kept busy as the first of the season’s storms battered the estuary. 

The team experienced gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and driving rain as storms Austen and Boelo hit the area. 

In the river, the team had to go to the aid of three boats that had broken free from their moorings, becoming a danger to other river users. 

A large scallop dredger broke away on Thursday night and drifted up the river in the gale, ending up on the mudflats just to the north of Starcross Yacht Club on the high tide. It was stranded there until Sunday evening. 

A motor cruiser also broke away from its mooring on Thursday evening, drifting around the lower part of the river, hitting and bouncing along the rocks by Cockwood harbour, causing significant damage to the hull.  

The boat then drifted into the wildlife area by Dawlish Warren before stranding itself on mudflats. The boat was recovered by the Waterways team in the early hours of Monday morning. The owner, who lives in Okehampton, was very grateful for the team’s help and carrying out a specialist recovery in difficult conditions. 

Finally, a yacht also broke off its mooring on Thursday evening and ended up on the stone wall next to the railway line at Starcross. The boat was badly damaged, so much so that it eventually sank.  

The Waterways team tried to salvage the boat on three occasions, but unfortunately, the damage was too much and the team had to use its moorings barge Port Constructor to recover the sunken hull back to Shelley beach at Exmouth for onward disposal by the owner. 

Cllr Ruth Williams, Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor with responsibility for Waterways, praised the team and their timely actions. 

She said: “It’s reassuring to know that we have a dedicated team out there in all weathers taking care of our waterways, keeping people safe and protecting boats and property in the stormiest of conditions.”   

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