DARTMOOR Search and Rescue Team (DSRT) Tavistock has been given a large cash boost of more than £20,000 to pay for equipment and training to increase its capability of water rescues.

The Tavistock team was among 66 water rescue charities across the UK that were awarded grant funding from the Government last week and was given the largest grant in the South West of £21,129.50.

Water rescue charities across the UK were cumulatively awarded £913,000 by maritime minister John Hayes. This is the third round of funding provided under a five year, £5-million scheme, announced as part of the 2014 budget statement.

The grant supports charities running local lifeboat and rescue services, helping those in danger on and around inland and inshore waterways, including during flooding and other incidents. The money can be used to buy new lifeboats and other equipment such as life jackets and safety gear.

Chairman of DSRT Tavistock Rhodri Davey said: ‘We were given a staggering amount and we didn’t quite appreciate it was the largest amount given in the South West.

‘A significant amount of money has gone to rescue groups in the area — we’re not large organisations so these sizeable amounts of money are fantastic. This will significantly increase our ability to provide help.’

The team will use a large portion of the money to purchase a ‘Zodiac’ rescue boat as well as a variety of other water rescue equipment such as dry suits, personal protection equipment, safety gear and throw lines.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and starting off rescuing people from the moorland, the Tavistock team has evolved to provide a broader rescue service, supporting emergency rescue and rescues in areas of flooding.

Rhodri said: ‘We’ve developed our skills in swift water rescue as there was a need to increase our capability around water rescues, particularly around Christmas in 2015 where we sent a contingent of the team up to the flooding in York. This acted as a bit of a catalyst for a lot of what we’ve got today. There have been huge areas of flooded land, hence the need for a boat.

‘With this new equipment, we will be able to kit out 12 people for water rescue safely. Apart from the boat, all the the equipment is relatively small but costs a lot altogether.

‘This huge sum of money is a big asset for us in the town and will be of direct benefit to the community.’

The team has an ongoing training programme to keep its water rescue skills current and train new people for the Swift Water Rescue team. Most recently, the water rescue team was deployed to search the banks of the lake at Burrator Reservoir for a missing man earlier this month. He was unfortunately later found dead by the Police diving team.

Maritime minister John Hayes said: ‘Every day countless volunteers in water rescue charities across our island nation carry out vital work during emergencies, not only around our coasts but also keeping our rivers, lakes and inshore waters safe.

‘It is imperative that we value and support their tireless efforts. I am delighted to be able to announce the latest round of funding, ensuring they have the equipment and resources they need to provide their round-the-clock, lifesaving services.’

An expert panel — including representatives from the devolved administrations, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Royal Yachting Association — assessed applications submitted to the Department for Transport on the basis of how the equipment or training will be used to support lifesaving, search and rescue operations and flood response capability locally and nationally, whether the funding will deliver wider community benefits and how the equipment and skills will bring sustainable benefits.