HM Coastguard
               Torbay & Berry Head

Search and Rescue Teams

The following comments are personal views of the team members
and do not represent official Coastguard statements

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999 call outs for the Torbay Team

This page contains all call outs for the Torbay team on land for the year (1999)
For call outs concerning the Boat please follow this link

These are some abbreviations used on some of the jobs, UU = Units used, Helo = Helicopter, LB = Lifeboat
 ILB = Inshore Lifeboat, IRT = Initial Response Team, BURT = Back Up Response Team.
Oscar 4 is the local council security boat.
The Helicopters we use are:- RESCUE 193 & 192 from Chivenor (RAF), Hotel Lima and Wiskey Bravo from Portland (Coastguard), Oscar 99 from Exeter (Police), Helimed from Exeter ( Air Ambulance).
Team Callouts

Jobs so far - 119


31/12/99-16.00 Called out to Back up Berry head team after a report of a dog over the cliff at Berry head, unfortunately the dog did not make it. We recovered the dog for the owners and two members of the team escorted the people to a nearby vet to confirm death.  UU  BURT

31/12/99-11.07 Called out to Petit tor after a report of a dog over the cliff, a cliff man was lowered and managed to safely rescue the dog. UU  BURT

26/12/99-00.33 Tasked to Maidencombe after a report of a red flare, a search was carried but nothing was found.  UU  IRT LB

24/12/99-08.45 Tasked to search all of Torbay after a report that two people had jumped ship from a ship in the bay, a land and sea search was carried out and a body was later located by the Coastguard Helo but due to the rough seas the winch man was unable to recover the body. UU  BURT, LB, ILB, Helo

24/12/99-04.48 (see memorable jobs page) Tasked to a village in land called Galmpton after a report of server flooding, five houses had about 6 ft of water outside and in. But a man was missing in the water and the Police wanted us to launch our boat to help search for the missing man, the man was located by the Fire Brigade so we were then tasked to carry out a house to house search, luckily only one gent needed to be evacuated.  UU  IRT, IRT, Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade

21/12/99-15.02 Tasked to Tor abbey sands after a report of a person in the water, a search was carried out but nothing was found. UU  IRT,  ILB

17/12/99-20.00 Called out after a report of a white flare was sighted near Walls hill, a search was carried out but nothing unto wards was found. UU  IRT

11/12/99-01.26 Tasked Livermead beach to assist paramedics with a person who had fallen from the sea wall onto the beach, the person was put on to a spinal board and put in the ambulance.  UU  IRT

06/12/99-21.44 Tasked to Watcombe area after a report of a red flare, a search was carried out but nothing was found.  UU  IRT

03/12/99-12.03 Called out after a report of a dog over the cliff at Petit tor,  a cliff man was lowered over and managed to safely recover the dog.      UU  BURT

28/11/99-13.03 Tasked to Preston beach after a report of a wind surfer in difficulty, upon our arrival two other wind surfers were paddling out and managed to help him back to shore.  UU  IRT, ILB

24/11/99-10.34 Tasked to back up the Berry head team to assist in a cliff search after a motor bike was found over the cliff, a cliff man was lowered over but luckily there was nothing there apart from a old motor bike.  UU BURT

19/11/99-23.35 Tasked to a Hotel on Paignton sea front after a report that a women had found a object in the water, she had taken it home and now was worried as to what it was, it turned out to be a Orange flashing beacon from some road works.  UU  IRT

19/11/99-02.26 Tasked to carry out a search at the request from the Police to look for a male that had gone for a walk from Paignton to Teignmouth  and back, but he was 4 hours overdue, Torbay, Berry head and Teignmouth teams search along the coast paths while Teignmouth and Torbay Life boat carried out a search along the waters edge, he was located safe and well by the Torbay team near Corbyns head.  UU  BURT, BURT, BURT, LB, LB, Oscar 99

15/11/99-11.49 Called out to watch over a vessel being towed to Brixham Harbour, both vessels made it safely to harbour.  UU  IRT

13/11/99-18.17 Tasked to Oddicombe area after a report of a flare being sighted in the area, a search was carried out but nothing untoward was seen.  UU  IRT

10/11/99-12.47 Tasked to Preston beach after a report of a kite surfer in the water in difficulty, when we arrived on scene the person was safely ashore.  UU  IRT

09/11/99-19.11 Tasked to Shaldon bridge to back up Teignmouth Coastguard to help search for a missing women, the women was located before Torbay team arrived on scene when the women went home.  UU  BURT

04/11/99-19.36 Tasked to Oddicombe after a request from the Police asking for assistance to search for a missing women and boy, the area was searched on land and on the sea and luckily they were found by the Coastguard team on a cliff path both ok.  UU  BURT, LB, Oscar 99

30/10/99-13.11 Tasked to Preston beach after a report of a wind surfer in difficulty, the first wind surfer managed to recover himself but then three more were in trouble so they were picked up by Torbay life boat. UU  IRT, LB

28/10/99-08.24 Tasked to Berry head to back up Berry head team to assist in the search for a possible missing women after a body of a male was found at the top of the cliffs. the area was search but thankfully nothing was found.  UU  BURT, LB, ILB, Oscar 99

27/10/99-16.15 Tasked to Hollicombe after a report of three children cut off by the tide, the ILB managed to recover all three children and take them back to Paignton harbour.  UU  IRT, ILB

24/10/99-23.26 Tasked to Torquay harbour after a report of a women walking into the sea fully clothed, when we arrived on scene the women was in Police custody.  UU  IRT, Police

20/10/99-17.46 Tasked to Hollicombe area after a report of a wind surfer in difficulty, after a search nothing was found then we were tasked to Roundam head after a report of children cut off by the tide, again the area was searched but nothing was found.  UU  IRT, ILB,  Helo

19/10/99-11.16 Tasked to Hollicombe beach after a report that a surfer was in difficulty, the area was checked but nothing unto wards was found. UU  IRT

16/10/99-13.26 Called out to Institute beach after a report of a oil drum washed up on the beach, the drum was empty apart from some sea water so the council were informed to come and remove it.  UU  IRT

09/10/99-17.55 Tasked to Roundam head after a report of three youngsters cut off by the tide, one lad managed to recover himself but the other two were taken off by the ILB.  UU  IRT, ILB

09/10/99-15.29 Tasked to Goodrington after a report of a diver possibly in trouble, the area was searched but nothing was found.  UU  IRT, Helo, ILB

29/09/99-15.37 Tasked to Marine Parade after a report from Police that a man was walking into the sea fully clothed, upon our arrival the man was already out of the water and was in Police custody.  UU  IRT, Police

20/09/99-13.44 Tasked to Babbacombe area after a report of a red flare, the area was searched but nothing was found.  UU  IRT

19/09/99-14.43 While on patrol we were called to keep watch on a broken down speed boat that was being towed in by a small motor boat, both vessels made it safely to Paignton harbour.  UU  IRT

16/09/99-10.31 Tasked to Scabbacombe after a report of a Land rover had gone over the cliff, Two person inside were evacuated by Helo to Hospital. UU  BURT, Helo, ILB

09/09/99-17.25 Called to Princess pier after report of youths jumping off the railings into the water, they were advised of the dangers and decided to stop.  UU  IRT

06/09/99-18.52 Tasked to Hollicombe after a report of two young lads were cut off by the tide, upon investigation it turned out that they were fishing and were ok.  UU  IRT

03/09/99-22.33 Tasked to Meadfoot beach after a report of a women screaming could be heard out to sea, a search of the area was carried out and turned out to be a diver that panicked under water and when she surfaced she screamed, she was calmed down by her buddy who then persuaded her to swim back to shore under water.  UU  IRT

03/09/99-03.25 Tasked to Green away key to assist Paramedics to recover a women off a sailing yacht with possible heart problems. UU  IRT

27/08/99-14.00 Tasked to Paignton harbour after a report of a fire on board a speed boat, the fire had put it self out and two lads were picked up out of the water by a passing vessel which also towed the boat back to the harbour.  UU  IRT

23/08/99-21.25 Tasked to Livermead after a report of two young lads missing, both lads turned up before the arrival of the full team.  UU  IRT

22/08/99-11.15 Tasked to watch over a sailing dinghy race as a lot of the dinghy's were capsizing in the surf and breaking there masts, the club were advised to cancel the race which they did.  UU  IRT

18/08/99-20.59 Called out to collect details from a vessel being towed in by a speed boat.  UU  IRT

18/08/99-17.53 Called out to keep a sailing dinghy under observation while it was being towed into Paignton harbour.  UU  IRT

16/08/99-19.44 Tasked to Hopes nose after a report of a Mayday, which could have originated  in that area, the area was searched but nothing was found, thought to be a hoax.  UU  IRT, Helo, Lifeboat

15/08/99-18.09 Tasked to Torbay hospital to set up a landing site for an incoming Helo with a casualty that had fallen from cliffs in another area.  UU  IRT

14/08/99-14.07 Tasked to Brixham breakwater after a report that a diver was suffering from cramps and breathing difficulties, upon investigation it turned out to be his wet suit was very tight and the fact that he was panicking were the cause for his symptoms.  UU  IRT

13/08/99-10.20 Tasked to back up Berryhead after a report of ordinance was found next to the Brixham harbour masters office, the area was secured then the EOD was able to take the device out to sea for disposal. UU  Torbay boat, IRT

07/08/99-16.40 While on patrol we were tasked to Three beaches after a report of a vessel on fire, we managed to locate the vessel and con the Lifeboat on to it.  There had been a small electrical fire in the engine compartment and had put it self out, the vessel was towed in to Torquay harbour by the lifeboat.  UU  IRT, Lifeboat, Oscar 4

05/08/99-13.13 Tasked to Meadfoot beach after a report of a inflatable dingy in difficulty, the boat had managed to self recover before we arrived. UU  IRT

04/08/99-21.49 Tasked to Preston beach after a report of young children playing in a boat, Police advised the youngsters and took them home. UU  IRT,  Police

02/08/99-17.56 Full team were tasked to Goodrington sands after a report of a missing male, all units were stood down before our arrival as the person was found inland.  UU  BURT

31/07/99-22.27 Tasked to Torquay harbour after a report of divers in the entrance of the Harbour, they were gone before our arrival. UU  IRT

28/07/99- Tasked to assist Paramedics at Ansteys cove with a young girl who had fallen through a hole in the walk way and hurt her leg.   UU  IRT

26/07/99- Called out after a report of a member of the public rescuing a swimmer from the sea at Broad sands, on arrival we loaded the swimmer into a waiting ambulance.  UU  IRT

26/07/99- Called out to a report of ordinance on Broad sands beach, E.O.D arrived on scene and removed the device.  UU  IRT,  E.O.D

23/07/99-19.38 Called out to report of a swimmer in the middle of the bay about 1 mile off shore swimming from Torquay to Brixham about three miles on his own with no support, he was escorted by Torbay Coastguard boat to Brixham to be given some advice.  UU  IRT,  Torbay boat

18/07/99-13.17 While on patrol we were called to watch over a vessel which had run out of fuel and was being towed in to Brixham harbour. UU  IRT

17/07/99-11.59 Called out to watch over a speed boat being towed into Paignton harbour after suffering fuel problems.  UU  IRT

16/07/99-22.19 Tasked to Goodrington after a report of a unconscious female, when we arrived on scene she was conscious but malnourished, she was reluctant to receive help but agreed to go home in a taxi.  UU  IRT

16/07/99-00.00 Tasked to Holden pier to assist Paramedics with a women on a passenger boat with a suspected heart attack.  UU  IRT

11/07/99-16.22 While on patrol we were tasked to Hollicombe after a report of two girls waving from a five knot speed marker off the beach, the Torbay Coastguard boat did a search until people on shore started waving, upon investigation the children had been escorted back ashore by a swimmer. UU  IRT,  Torbay boat

11/07/99-15.37 While on patrol we were called to Torquay after a report that a boy had gone missing in a R.H.I.B, he was located in Brixham harbour by the Coastguard boat.  UU  IRT,  Torbay boat.

10/07/99-18.38 Tasked to Goodrington sands after a report that a boat had broken down and was drifting in to the surf, the boat was taken in tow by Oscar4.  UU  IRT,  OSCAR4

09/07/99-12.41 Called to Saltern cove after a report of a dog over a cliff, the dog was recovered safe and well by the team.  UU  BURT

03/07/99-14.27 While on patrol watching the long distance swim we were tasked to Daddy hole after a report that a climber had fallen. One cliff man was lowered and one crew from our CoastGuard boat went ashore to assist, the person had broken his ankle, after being checked by the medic from the CoastGuard Helo he was flown to Hospital.  UU  BURT,  Helo,  ILB

26/06/99-15.25 Tasked to Daddy hole after a report  of climbers shouting for help, when we arrived it turned out that they were fine.   UU  IRT

26/06/99-13.40 Tasked to Waterside camp after a report that a speed boat had run aground, the boat was toad back to harbour by the ILB.   UU  IRT,  ILB

24/06/99-23.18 Tasked to Paignton harbour after a report of a person in the water, the Police recovered the person before our arrival.   UU  IRT

23/06/99-19.27  Tasked to an inland quarry at the request from the Police after a report that a girl was stuck on the cliff, before our arrival the Fire brigade had lowered a man down on a hemp rope and pulled the girl up. UU  BURT

21/06/99-17.41 Tasked to Elberry cove after a report that a person on a jet ski have heart his leg, on our arrival it was apparent that the person had broken his leg, but he was disabled before the accident and had special magical needs, so he was evacuated by the Coast Guard Helo to Hospital.  UU  IRT,  HELO

15/06/99-00.17 Tasked to Walls hill after a report that a person could be heard shouting for help,  using land search units, Helo with a thermal image intensifier and a ILB it took almost 2 hours to find the person because of the echo of his shouting was travelling a long way and the camera could not pick him up as he was in a tree, apparently he fell while bird watching at night and fell in the tree about 100 down (lucky). With the combined efforts of the Helo 169 and our cliff team he was air lifted to hospital.   UU  BURT,  ILB,  HELO169

12/06/99-16.44 Tasked to Roundam head after a report that a person was cut off by the tide, when on scene we found that a passing boat had picked him up and brought him ashore.  UU  IRT

11/06/99-20.52 Tasked to Daddy hole after a report that some climbers were possibly in trouble, when we arrived on scene the climbers were safely at the top.  UU  IRT

06/06/99-12.16 Tasked to Paignton beach after reports of people on board a boat waving for assistance, ILB towed the vessel in to harbour.   UU  IRT,  ILB

05/06/99-15.48 Tasked to Daddy hole Torquay after a report that a wind surfer was in trouble, when we arrived on scene the person had made it ashore safely.   UU  IRT

31/05/99-20.02 Tasked to walls hill after a report that a person was stuck on the cliffs, when we arrived on scene the first informant said he had just seen the person walking through the car park.  UU  BURT, Helo Oscar99

29/05/99-14.58 While on patrol we were tasked to Torquay, after a report that a crew member from a power boat race had received a back injury, and was being brought ashore by the LIB, when ashore he was diagnosed as having bruised his lower back.  UU  ILB,  IRT

28/05/99-08.38 Tasked to Paignton beach after a report that a rubber dingy was being blown offshore, the ILB recovered the dingy and the two boys on board back to the beach.  UU  IRT, ILB

22/05/99-21.24 Tasked to Corbyns head after a report of people being cut off by the tide, a search was carried out but nothing was found. UU  IRT

22/05/99-19.02 Tasked to Torquay by the Imperial hotel after a report of a child stuck on cliffs, the lad was recovered up the cliff by the BURT. UU  BURT,  ILB

22/05/99-18.09 Tasked to Thatcher gut area after a report of a dive boat had broken down with divers in the water, the ILB recovered the divers and towed the boat back to Harbour.  UU  IRT,  ILB

16/05/99-17.59 Called out to meet a dive boat coming into Paignton Harbour after one diver had to be airlifted to a decompression chamber and sadly another had died, we assisted removing the body ashore. UU  IRT, HELO

16/05/99-16.07 Tasked to Torbay hospital to set up a landing site for Helo Oscar 99 bringing in a ill baby.  UU  IRT

10/05/99-19.02 Tasked to Thatcher area after a report of a wind surfer in trouble, ILB recovered the person ashore.  UU  IRT,  ILB

10/05/99-18.44 Called out after a report by Police that a person might be cut off by the tide at Corbyns head, found to be a fisher women safely fishing.  UU  IRT

10/05/99-02.27 Called out to investigate a dingy washed ashore on the beach, found out to be stolen from a harbour.  UU  IRT

09/05/99-12.18 Tasked to Paignton beach after a report of a wind surfer in trouble off shore, a passing fishing boat had already picked the person up and was taking him ashore.  UU  IRT

09/05/99-02.33 Tasked to Petitor after a report of a man stuck on the cliff, Teignmouth Inshore Lifeboat managed to recover him back to Babbacombe. UU  BURT,  ILB,  Oscar 99

08/05/99-01.56 Tasked to Paignton beach after a report of a woman in the water trying to commit suicide, upon our arrival the person was out of the water being treated by Paramedics.  UU  BURT,  ILB

06/05/99-16.10 Tasked to Paignton beach after a report of a female in the water trying to commit suicide, upon our arrival the person was being treated by paramedics.  UU  IRT,  ILB

02/05/99-14.13 Called out to meet a boat towing a dingy that had capsized off Torquay, two of the people from the dingy were taken to Hospital with Hypothermia.  UU  IRT

29/04/99-16.25 Tasked to Livermead after a report of a person in difficulties in the water, when we got on scene the person had managed to get on to a ledge below the cliffs, he was recovered by our cliff man up and over the cliff.  UU  BURT, HELO, ILB

27/04/99-22.16 Called out to a report of a white flashing light just off Roundam head, found to be fisherman setting nets. UU  IRT.

27/04/99-20.28 Called out to watch over a broken down speed boat, the boat was taken into tow by the ILB.  UU  IRT,  ILB

25/04/99-11.46 Tasked to Babbacombe after a report that a dingy had capsized and could not right itself, when we got on scene the dingy had managed to reach shore safely.  UU  IRT,  ILB,  LB

24/04/99-13.28 Tasked to Princess pier after a report that a person was in difficulty in the water, the person self recovered before the arrival of a unit and he was ok.  UU  IRT.

22/04/99-16.41 Tasked Tor Abby sands after a report the a person was in trouble in the sea, when they arrived on scene the Police had arrested a man for being drunk and disorderly.  UU  IRT.

19/04/99-19.12 Tasked to Roundam head after a report of two lads cut off by the tide, due to severe weather Torbay Alpha requested a Helo and LB, the ILB managed to recover the lads back to the Harbour. UU BURT, Helo, LB, ILB

10/04/99-16.07 Called to Torquay harbour to meet a fishing boat that had found a sailing dingy capsized 1 mile off shore and was towing them in, the two sailors had no safety gear on board and they were wearing street clothes.  They were advised of the dangers.  UU  IRT

10/04/99-15.35 Tasked to Paignton Beach after a report that a cabin cruiser was drifting close to shore, the boat had run out of fuel and was anchored, the ILB managed to to the boat back to harbour.  UU  IRT,  ILB

06/04/99-16.10 Tasked to Paignton Beach after a report that two wind surfers had got into difficulties, both surfers were recovered by the ILB. UU  IRT, ILB

05/04/99-20.35 Called to Meadfoot Torquay after a report that youths were climbing rocks and cliffs, a search was made but nothing was found. UU  IRT

05/04/99-18.05 Tasked to Hopes nose in Torquay after a report that 3 lads were stuck up a cliff, when they got on scene one lad had made it to the top, but the other lads were stuck behind a black thorn bush, they were helped through by the IRT.
UU  IRT.

05/04/99-15.43 Called out to watch over a passenger boat towing a broken down dive boat in to Torquay harbour.  UU  IRT

05/04/99-11.47 Called out to keep a speed boat under observation as they had run out of fuel, Torbay ILB tow the boat back to Torquay harbour. UU  IRT,  ILB

02/04/99-00.31 Tasked to Corbyns head after a report of a orange flare, the area was searched but nothing was found.  UU  IRT

28/03/99-14.05 While on patrol in the Torbay area we were informed by a member of public that 4 children were cut off by the tide, Torbay boat which was also on patrol was tasked to investigate, the 4 children were taken off by the boat and taken back to Paignton harbour.       UU  IRT,   Torbay boat

24/03/99-19.30 Tasked to Torquay after a report of a red flare, when they got on scene and talked to the first informant it was obvious that it was fired from inland.  UU  IRT

20/03/99-02.02 Tasked to the Imperial Hotel after a report of a person cut off by the tide, the person managed to self recover as the unit got on seen.  UU  IRT

10/03/99-17.53 Tasked to Walls hill Torquay after a request from the police to do a search for a missing Female, while searching the Female turned up at her home address.  UU  BURT

05/03/99-08.51 Tasked to Torbay Hospital to set up a Helo landing site for an incoming casualty from another area.   UU IRT