Advice has been issued to River Exe users after two men had to be rescued from a catamaran which ran aground on Pole Sands near Exmouth on Saturday.

The two men had to be rescued from the catamaran at around 7.30pm on Saturday (April 4).

The alarm was first raised when the vessel was seen colliding with a number of buoys.

East Devon District Council and Exmouth RNLI Helm David Preece have reminded river users of advice issued by the river's harbour master regarding water travel during the Coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read the full story on Saturday's rescue.

Exeter Port Authority Harbour Master Grahame Forshaw said: "Following on from latest government information we have all had to undertake steps to maintain our health and safety. We must detail what we feel constitutes a necessary journey or an essential waterborne activity in the River Exe and Exeter Canal.

"Commercial activity (commercial fishing, for example) or isolated residents moving through Harbour property for necessary purposes such as shopping, obtaining medical necessities, we consider essential.

"It is not appropriate at present for the Harbour/estuary estate to be used for leisure or exercise, despite the current fair weather. Using the Harbour/estuary for leisure purposes at this time could put you and our reduced staff at risk - as well as created avoidable pressure on the Emergency Services, should you require assistance.

"We will report anyone we feel are not engaged in necessary or essential activity within the River Exe or Exeter Canal.

"If you believe your planned activity is necessary AND essential please contact by email so we can discuss your plans.

"It is not our intention to make anyone's life more difficult than it already is, but we also do not want to increase unnecessary risk to our staff, our other customers and the residents around the river and canal.

"We hope life will return to normal as soon as possible and we would like to see you all return fit and well. Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives."

David Preece added: "I would echo the current advice from the Exeter Ports Authority that recreational use of the River Exe, Canal and other waters under its control is deemed as non-essential and we would urge water users to heed that sensible advice."

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