A major search involving three RNLI lifeboats, a Coastguard helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, police and specialist rescue teams was launched after a man was believed to have entered the sea near Goodrington, Paignton, during Storm Austen.
Torbay RNLI has revealed the scale of the operation, which began on Friday evening, 23 October 2026, and continued into the early hours of Saturday morning as rescuers battled worsening weather conditions.
The extensive search involved Torbay’s Severn-class all-weather lifeboat, its D-class inshore lifeboat and Exmouth RNLI’s Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat.
A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams, a drone unit and police officers were also involved.
Despite the significant deployment, the initial operation ended without the missing person being located.
A further daylight search on Saturday afternoon also proved unsuccessful.
Man Believed to Have Entered Sea Near Goodrington
According to Torbay RNLI’s detailed account, volunteers were tasked by Solent Coastguard at 6.09pm on Friday after police became concerned about a man who was believed to have entered the water in the Goodrington area.
Information available to rescuers suggested CCTV footage had shown the man leaving a nearby hotel at approximately 12.45pm wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
He had not returned later that afternoon, prompting concerns for his welfare.
At 6.12pm, Torbay’s inshore lifeboat crew were paged, followed four minutes later by the all-weather lifeboat crew.
The inshore lifeboat launched at 6.35pm to begin searching the shoreline, while the Severn-class all-weather lifeboat departed at 6.38pm.
Exmouth RNLI’s Shannon-class lifeboat was also launched to assist with the operation.
Three Lifeboats and Coastguard Aircraft Search Torbay
The search quickly developed into a coordinated multi-agency response.
The Torbay crews were joined by a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and several Coastguard Rescue Teams operating along the shoreline.
Specialist drone support was also deployed.
The search covered sections of the coastline around Goodrington and wider areas of Torbay.
Torbay’s all-weather lifeboat initially searched close to shore before undertaking three parallel-track search patterns, one of which was coordinated with Exmouth’s Shannon lifeboat.
Exmouth’s volunteers carried out additional shoreline searches and offshore search patterns.
Conditions were extremely challenging, with westerly winds ranging between Force 5 and Force 8 during the operation.
The strong winds, breaking waves and deteriorating visibility made it increasingly difficult for rescuers to identify a person in or close to the water.
Lifeboat Diverted to Help Stranded Fisherman
While searching for the missing man, the Torbay all-weather lifeboat received a separate radio call for assistance from a lone fisherman.
His small fishing vessel had suffered engine failure and was sheltering at anchor close to the cliffs near London Bridge on the northern side of Torbay.
With strong winds and rough seas continuing, the fishing boat required assistance.
The all-weather lifeboat towed the vessel towards the entrance to Torquay Harbour.
The tow was then transferred to Torbay’s inshore lifeboat, which brought the fishing vessel safely into the harbour.
After completing the assistance, the crews resumed their search duties.
Dangerous Seas Force Changes to Search Operation
As darkness fell, conditions continued to deteriorate.
Growing rolling swells and white-topped waves increasingly affected the ability of rescue teams to search the shoreline safely and effectively.
Torbay’s inshore lifeboat completed a further shoreline search before returning to refuel.
At 9.10pm, Solent Coastguard agreed to stand down the inshore lifeboat because worsening conditions had significantly reduced the benefit of continuing its deployment.
The Coastguard’s Rescue 94 helicopter also returned to Newquay for refuelling before resuming operations.
Torbay’s all-weather lifeboat briefly returned to allow a volunteer crew member to be relieved because of work commitments.
Fixed-Wing Coastguard Aircraft Joins Overnight Search
With the missing man still unaccounted for, Solent Coastguard requested additional support from a fixed-wing aircraft.
The aircraft joined the returning helicopter and lifeboats, helping extend the search over larger areas of water.
The aircraft and vessels conducted overlapping search patterns across Torbay.
At approximately 12.25am on Saturday, 24 October, the operation moved towards Hope’s Nose, the mussel farm and waters further offshore.
Exmouth’s Shannon lifeboat conducted the closest-to-shore section of the search before returning to its station at around 1.15am.
Torbay’s Severn-class lifeboat continued searching until the Coastguard released it from the operation at 2.08am.
The two aircraft were also released at that time.
Torbay’s all-weather lifeboat eventually returned to its station at 3.10am after refuelling at the Fish Dock.
The crew had spent more than eight hours at sea.
Second Search Launched on Saturday Afternoon
The search effort was not over.
At 11.45am on Saturday, Solent Coastguard requested a further daylight operation around Roundham.
Torbay RNLI volunteers were paged at 11.56am and launched at 12.10pm.
The renewed search involved examining the coastline and rocks around Roundham, with two crew members put ashore to investigate areas that could not be adequately checked from the water.
Conditions remained difficult, with driving rain, strong west to north-westerly winds and turbulent seas.
Despite the additional search, nobody was located.
The Coastguard subsequently stood down the lifeboat, which returned to station by 2.48pm.
The volunteers then prepared the lifeboat for its next emergency.
Police Also Appeal for Missing Man Andrew Hill
The search took place as Devon and Cornwall Police issued an appeal for a missing man last seen in the Goodrington area on Friday.
Andrew Hill, also known as Andy, aged 43, was reported missing after being seen walking along Goodrington seafront at around 12.30pm.
Police described him as approximately 6ft tall, of medium build, with a moustache and brown hair shaved at the sides.
He was last seen wearing a cream tropical-patterned shirt, grey shorts and no shoes.
Andrew has links to Dartmouth, Totnes, Paignton and Newton Abbot.
His family have expressed serious concerns for his welfare.
Anyone with information concerning Andrew’s whereabouts should contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 999, quoting log 244 of 23 October 2026.
Although the police appeal and RNLI search concern the same area and timeframe, confirmation that the lifeboat operation related specifically to Andrew has not been included in the RNLI account supplied.
Volunteers Praised After Demanding Storm Austen Operation
Torbay RNLI praised the commitment of its volunteers and support personnel following the demanding operation.
The lifeboat station said the response involved not only crews operating at sea but also duty launch authorities and other volunteers who remained available throughout the night.
Family members of crew members also attended the station, providing hot drinks and food for those returning from the search.
The station described the sustained effort as particularly impressive given the conditions brought by Storm Austen.
The RNLI had previously warned people to stay away from exposed coastlines during the storm, with strong winds and dangerous seas posing significant risks.
Search Ends Without Confirmed Sighting
The two operations did not result in the missing person being located.
The account provided does not confirm whether further searches have been planned, and there has been no verified announcement establishing the outcome of the missing-person investigation.
The rescue teams’ deployment demonstrates the scale of resources available for major coastal emergencies, even in severe weather.
