Exmouth and Torbay RNLI launched last night at around 9.30pm after receiving a MayDay call from a sinking vessel.

The fishermen abandoned ship taking to the vessel’s life-raft. All three casualties were recovered, cold but requiring no further medical assistance, and were brought back to Brixham. 

The incident happened very quickly, allowing only moments for the crew to issue their MayDay Call, shortly followed by a 999 call stating ‘all three crew have taken to vessel’s life raft.’. The vessel, a 10m catamaran, then keeled over and sank.

Exmouth's Shannon class lifeboat arrived first at the scene at 22.12, 12 miles off shore towards Sidmouth. Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew quickly recovered all three casualties from their liferaft. They were then safely transferred to the waiting Torbay Severn Class and brought back to Brixham. The Exmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to Exmouth with the vessel’s liferaft on its stern.

Exmouth RNLI Coxswain, Steve Hockings-Thompson said: "It was a black night and a short, choppy sea. We were able to see their flares at quite a distance and reach them quickly. Luckily, they had all the correct safety equipment on board that can make all the difference.’

HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 was also tasked to assist alongside the Exmouth and Torbay RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat