There were two lifeboat call-outs to the same stricken yacht in the early hours of this morning (Friday, March 19).

The yacht had six people on board, but no radio, just one lifejacket and very limited safety equipment.

Volunteer crew members were alerted at 2.47am after the yacht ran aground on Pole Sands. Both of the RNLI lifeboats, the all-weather R&J Wellman and the inshore George Bearman II were launched, and were on hand as the yacht's crew managed to free the vessel from its grounding. The lifeboats then left the scene.

But at 5.50am the crew at the lifeboat station noticed that the yacht had got into difficulties again, and the inshore lifeboat was relaunched to the scene. Its crew freed the yacht again and guided it to the safety of Exmouth Marina. A total of 22 RNLI volunteers were involved in the two operations.

Harry Griffin, who was at the helm of the inshore lifeboat on the second assignment, said: "The yacht had got itself into difficulty in the dark during the early hours of the morning.

"When venturing out to sea it is always important to have proper means of communication and adequate safety equipment.

"It's also vital, and especially so during the hours of darkness, to check the locality, tide times and sea conditions before venturing out on the water.

"Our lifesaving volunteers were pleased to assist in this situation and help bring it to a safe and satisfactory conclusion."

The RNLI's advice on safe yacht sailing can be found here