Two lifeboats launched to assist drifting vessel

Dart inshore lifeboat and Torbay all weather lifeboat were both involved in a call-out in the River Dart early on Saturday morning 10 September. The 50ft Dart Princess from Paignton was seen to be drifting in mid stream, with two people on board. ‘Spirit of the Dart’ lifeboat was launched to investigate and was asked to transfer two policeman onto the vessel. The two people on board were uncooperative and lifeboat helmsman, Kevin Murphy, decided for safety reasons to then stand off from the casualty boat. A flooding tide and gusting winds meant that the vessel was in danger of colliding with moorings and other obstacles and the lifeboat nudged and manoeuvred the casualty through the Kingswear trots and further upstream. The Torbay RNLI all-weather lifeboat had been launched to assist and arrived at 5.20am at Noss Marina with two more policemen on board. The casualty was taken on alongside the bigger lifeboat and moved back to Kingswear Quay. Helmsman, Kevin Murphy, was assisted by crew Yorkie Lomas and Chris Rampling. Tractor driver, Dai Richards. Onshore crew Steve Wallis, Mark Conroy and Lee Darch.