Event cancelled due to bad weather.

At 6:45 this morning, the all-weather lifeboat was launched to a yacht which was aground on rocks at Combesgate Beach. The person onboard was taken safely onto the lifeboat but, unfortunately, while towing the yacht, she sank. The crew brought the casualty to Ilfracombe Harbour.

At 3:20 yesterday afternoon as the tide was coming in, our volunteer crews launched the inshore lifeboat to two children cut off by the tide near Wildersmouth Beach. The crew were able to find the pair on the rocks, and get them into the boat.

Yesterday at 6:35 pm our volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat to two people cut off at Mermaids Bay off the back of Sandaway Holiday Park. The two were found waist deep in water. Our helm did a quick snatch and grab as the pair were about to be washed away by the swell.

A child was washed into the sea from the pier when a wave hit her yesterday evening. Our volunteer crew were training in the inshore lifeboat nearby and the child and her friends were taken to the lifeboat station where they could be warmed up until their families collected them.

Two shouts yesterday. The first at 3.10pm to five paddle boarders in difficulties - picked up and handed to CG. The second at 6pm to a kayaker who managed to get ashore alone.

Please take extra care on Wednesday (2 August) as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds for North Devon (as well as Cornwall and the south coast). Current Met Office forecasts are for strong west, WNW winds of up to 40mph around the south west coast.

At 2:27 this morning, we were tasked to assist the Coastguard and police in a search for a missing person. The lifeboat launched and the crew commenced a shoreline search. Happily, the missing person was found safe and well and the lifeboat crew returned to the station.

Yesterday, Leigh Hanks, our Station Mechanic since 2010 and volunteer crew member since 1991, signed out and switched off his pager one last time. He has retired after giving RNLI Ilfracombe 37 years of dedication and hard work. Happy retirement Leigh!

Our all-weather lifeboat was launched at 9am today to a person injured and unwell on Lundy Island. The person was safely collected and brought back to the Harbour where an ambulance was waiting. The crew recovered the lifeboat at 11:40am.

Today’s third shout was at 8:06pm to two people on a beach under Hillsborough trapped by the tide. Our inshore lifeboat reached them quickly. The visitors had been there all afternoon unaware they’d get cut off by the tide. We took them to the safety of the lifeboat station.

Our second launch, at 4:49pm was to two kayakers in Samson Bay. Our crew found them on a small beach where they were cold but OK. They had been exploring but conditions became too rough for them so they sheltered on a beach. Fortunately both had whistles to use to get attention.

Our volunteer crew has responded to two shouts today both times launching the inshore lifeboat. The first, at 11:51 this morning was to locate the tracking beacon from the boat that sank on Monday. Unfortunately, despite an extensive search, it could not be found.

We were tasked at 8:12pm yesterday evening by the coastguard to a 32ft cabin cruiser taking on water one mile east of Ilfracombe. Our volunteer crew launched both lifeboats and rescued the two people on board shortly before the boat sank completely.

Shortly before 6pm yesterday, we were tasked to a dog that had fallen from cliffs at Valley of Rocks, Lynton. Our volunteeer crews launched the inshore lifeboat. The dog was located at the foot of the cliff. Sadly, however, the dog had not survived the fall.

We were tasked at 1:30 this afternoon to a dog reported to have fallen from a cliff at Valley of Rocks. Despite an extensive search on both land and sea, tragically the dog could not be found. The inshore lifeboat returned to the Harbour at 7pm.

Image: visitilfracombe.co.uk/webcam/

We were tasked at 18:32 this evening to a paddle boarder who had appeared to be in difficulties and launched the lifeboat at 18:47 and went to Shag Point near Lee Bay where he was last seen and did a shoreline search. Thankfully, the boarder was seen safe on dry land.

Our volunteer crew took out the inshore lifeboat yesterday evening for some intensive training in the evening sunshine.

Returning from training this evening as the rain came down.

Were you at our Open Day on Saturday? Were you inspired to do your bit to help save lives at sea? Or perhaps you couldn't make it but are still interested in joining us? Perhaps in fundraising, our boat crew, the shop, our boathouse, or something else?
We'd love you to join us!