Exmouth RNLI were tasked by Brixham Coastguards at 1.35pm on Saturday 7 April after an 18 foot motorboat started to drift between the fairway buoys.

The inshore lifeboat George Bearman was launched immediately during light wind and calm sea conditions.

The volunteer three man crew reached the Cumulus boat carrying two adults and two children. The family from Exeter had been enjoying a leisure trip on Easter Saturday when their gearbox had broken. There was no VHF radio on the vessel and a mobile phone was used to call for help. The team towed them safely back to a mooring at Shelly Beach.

Exmouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Riley advised;

“Mobile telephones are not ideal at sea as there is often insufficient coverage and also limited range. A marine VHF Radio is ideal along with Rescue flares. The RNLI operates a Sea Safety assistance programme that will advise people on the equipment to carry and where to get the necessary training. This programme is free to all and very user friendly and done at the boat wherever you may be. The contact number is 0800 328 0600 or accessible online at the RNLI website.”