8th April 2023. The volunteers from the National Coastwatch Institution station at Prawle Point received a call from Start Point lighthouse guide, reporting concerns about a small yacht, with two persons on board, that appeared to be caught in the tidal overfalls off Start Point.

The watchkeepers were observing the yacht, and had identified it as a vessel they had been monitoring closely two hours earlier just South of Prawle Point. They contacted HM Coastguard at Falmouth, giving details of concerns, ID and position. A few minutes later they heard a Mayday Distress call on Ch 16 and contacted Falmouth again, to confirm that this was the same vessel. The watchkeepers confirmed the bearing from NCI Prawle Point, and the vessels distance off Start Point.

Salcombe lifeboat was tasked, and contacted NCI Prawle Point  on VHF radio Ch65 as they rounded Prawle Point and were given details of the yacht, crew, and position. This enabled the lifeboat to locate the casualty vessel, and it was towed  back to Salcombe bar, where it was handed over to the harbour launch.