You can’t beat a visual flare, says RNLI Coxswain

07/04/2022

“It’s good to have all this technology, but you can’t beat a visual flare in these situations.”

So says RNLI Plymouth Coxswain, Simon Jeffery, following a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) rescue one day in March.

The RHIB was well-equipped with safety gear, but the Personal Beacon did not work. Also, there was no mobile phone signal and radio communication was troublesome.

Both Plymouth lifeboats, All-Weather Lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover and Inshore Lifeboat Annabel E Jones were launched after the RHIB got into difficulty near Rame Head. Plymouth. Looe Inshore Lifeboat also joined the search for the RHIB, which had two people on board.

Falmouth Coastguard asked them to look near Saddle Cove, 10 miles east of the initial search area. The RHIB was found and the two crew were taken on board the All-Weather Lifeboat and then back to Mount Batten Slip, where Plymouth Coastguard personnel were waiting.

Simon Jeffery explains, “We understand the casualty vessel was well equipped but due to the location of the incident the persons on board had no mobile signal. VHF communications with Falmouth Coastguard proved difficult and their Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) malfunctioned. It’s good to have all this technology but you can’t beat a visual flare in these situations.”

The image is credited to RNLI/Cameron Hicks and shows a sunset from the All-Weather Lifeboat.