SALCOMBE RNLI rescued a local fishing boat on Sunday after its propeller was fouled in some discarded debris.

The all-weather lifeboat ’The Baltic Exchange III’ launched on Sunday, June 26, at 8.24am to the local fishing vessel ’Pen Glas’ which been left stricken 20 miles south of Salcombe.

The local fishing vessel ’Emma Jane’ had started to tow the ’Pen Glas’ towards Salcombe and so the lifeboat met them 16 miles south of Salcombe to take over the tow and bring the stricken fishing vessel back into Salcombe.

Once the tow was handed over, the ’Emma Jane’ was able to head back out to sea to continue her trip. Matt Davies, Salcombe RNLI, said: ‘Thank you to the crew of the ’Emma Jane’ for assisting and bringing the ’Pen Glas’ that little bit closer to home.’

Approaching the Salcombe bar there were a large number of yachts and pleasure craft leaving Salcombe and with a 185m meter tow between the lifeboat and the fishing vessel, the harbour authority were called to keep other vessels clear of both boats and to make sure no vessels passed between the boats.

Once off the yacht club, the tow to the ’Pen Glas’ was shortened and placed alongside the all-weather lifeboat so that she could be safely taken around to the fish quay where a diver would be able to cut the debris away.

Matt continued: ‘Thank you to everyone who assisted in this launch, the owners and the crew of the ’Emma Jane’, the crew aboard the ’Pen Glas’ and of course Salcombe Harbour Authority.

‘This was our 16th launch of the year to date, nine all-weather lifeboat launches and seven inshore lifeboat launches.’