Exmouth RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat this afternoon following a report of a broken down vessel on the River Exe.

At 2.38pm today (Sunday 16 July) HM Coastguard requested the launch of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II following a report of a tender with engine problems on the River Exe between buoys 17 and 18.

The lifeboat launched immediately and made best speed to the last reported location of the casualty vessel.

At 2.46pm they made contact with the tender with its sole occupant and assessed the situation. It was established that the boat's engine had malfunctioned, it was unable to make headway and the best course of action was to tow the vessel and its occupant to the nearest point of safety.

At 3.02pm the volunteer lifesavers secured a tow and escorted the tender to safety at Starcross, arriving there at 3.10pm.  

Satisfied that the vessel and its occupant were safe and secure, HM Coastguard then stood down the lifeboat crew from the tasking and it returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where it was back on service a short time later.