At 2.26pm on Friday (18 November) the crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to assess the situation of a broken down speedboat run aground at Great Bull Hill on the River Exe. 

The volunteer crew, led by Helm Henry Mock and crew James Edge and Ed Thomas, launched on service at 2.34pm and were with the casualty vessel by 2.40pm. They assessed the situation and discovered there were two individuals with the vessel who had used a dingy to make several unsuccessful attempts to tow and re-float it against difficult weather conditions.

The lifesavers decided that the boat was a hazard to other water users and towed the boat and its occupants to the safety of shore. No one was injured or required medical attention and at 3.15pm the volunteer lifesavers stood down from the tasking. 

Helm Henry Mock said: "The speedboat had run aground on the river and its occupants had made several attempts to re-float it. Despite their best efforts, this was unsuccessful and myself and my crew were very happy to help tow off the vessel, that was a safety hazard to other water users, to a place of safety."