RNLI crew rescued as lifeboat capsizes

TWO RNLI crew members needed rescuing themselves when they were thrown overboard as huge waves “engulfed” a lifeboat in Plymouth and capsized it.

- By ALEX DRISCOLL

The boat had been deployed during the search for a missing teenager near Wembury, with Plymouth RNLI being called to the scene at the request of HM Coastguard.

The inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched following the call-out on Monday night, with a smaller ‘Y boat’ utilised to access a closer view of the shore.

During the coastal search, a “larger than normal set of waves” engulfed the Y boat, causing it to capsize and leaving two crew members in the water.

Both volunteers were recovered quickly from the water. One crew member was taken to hospital to be checked over, but was discharged shortly after assessment.