Tributes for missing Exmouth skipper
By PGStrange | Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 22:10
TRIBUTES HAVE started coming in for Geoff Ingram, the Exmouth fisherman who went missing after his trawler, Sarah Jayne, capsized and sank off Berry Head. The search – which involved RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth and Torbay and 20 fishing vessels – was scaled down yesterday afternoon, and it's now presumed that Mr Ingram is dead. Geoff was a volunteer on the Exmouth lifeboat for nearly 20 years, and the RNLI have been leading the tributes…
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The Exmouth-based trawler Sarah Jayne capsized off Berry Head on Tuesday 11 September. The search for its skipper, Geoff Ingram of Exmouth, has now been scaled down and he's presumed dead
"My colleagues across the RNLI and I are deeply saddened by this news," said Adrian Carey, RNLI Divisional Inspector for the South West. "Geoffrey Ingram was a valued member of the Exmouth RNLI lifeboat crew from January 1980 to July 1998.
"In 1985 he was awarded the RNLI's Vellum Service Certificate for bravery after entering the sea from the lifeboat in force 7 winds and eight-foot waves to rescue two girls who were in difficulty after a speedboat sank.
"He was a well-respected member of the Exmouth crew during his time at the RNLI and is known throughout the local community as a consummate professional seaman.
"Our thoughts go out to Geoffrey's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."
Others paying tribute included Tim Mock, the coxswain of the Exmouth lifeboat.
"He was a great chap," Tim told the BBC. "We did many lifeboat services together and this is an absolute tragedy."
Tim was present during the incident where Geoff was awarded the Vellum Service Certificate.
"Geoff entered the water to help one of the girls," Tim told the BBC. "I was there as well and I shall never forget that day."
Local fundraising efforts for the family of the crews have begun, with a skipper in Brixham donating his catch – believed to be worth £4,000 – to the fund.
Donations
At the request of Geoff's family, please forward donations to: Fishermen's Mission, 50 Overgang Road, Brixham, Devon. TQ5 8AR. Telephone and fax: 01803 859123.
Email: brixham@rnmdsf.org.uk
Website: Fishermen's Mission
An account has been set up especially for the family. Please make cheques payable to: "Sarah Jayne Fund".
Comments
More about the loss of Geoff Ingram and the capsizing of the Sarah Jayne on Exmouth People's drop-down news menu:
http://tinyurl.com/8dgzze2
http://tinyurl.com/94gq6l7
By PGStrange at 13:50 on 13/09/12
ReportThanks for this, Paul.
Emma Tarling,
Lifeboat Press Officer Exmouth RNLI.
http://tinyurl.com/9ryje3g
By RNLI_Exmouth at 13:40 on 13/09/12
Report