At 6.29pm, Brixham Coastguard tasked inshore lifeboat, George Bearman to help tow a broken down fishing boat drifting in the river Exe, close to the marina.

By 6.33pm, the three crew volunteers were on the water and heading towards Bull Hill, near the entrance to busy Exmouth marina. It was a sunny day a slight onshore South-westerly breeze and flat calm sea.

The 19-foot Tremlett had suffered engine failure and another local boat had attempted to tow the stricken vessel to safety and attach it to a mooring. The volunteers were tasked to take over the rescue and tow the fishing boat to safety, to Cockwood harbour. George Bearman was back on service by 7.30pm.