Torbay's Arun class lifeboat Edward Bridges had to approach within inches of a cliff on 9 December 1988 to rescue a climber, who had fallen some 20ft into the sea at Berry Head.

The accident happened at a climb known as Moonraker, close to the station, and the lifeboat was on the scene ten minutes after launching at 1255. Coxswain Arthur Curnow manoeuvred the Arun into position with great care as it was low water. Soundings were taken ahead of the lifeboat with a boathook and the Y boat was used to nudge the lifeboat into the exact position required to embark the casualty in the lifeboat's basket stretcher, almost touching the cliff.

The casualty, an experienced climber, was not seriously injured and was taken to an ambulance which was waiting at Brixham..