At around 2pm on Tuesday (October 1) Exmouth RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched after reports of a partially sunken vessel 13 miles south of Exmouth.

The R&J Welburn, with six volunteer crew onboard launched at five minutes past two and made best speed to the reported location.

Upon arriving, the RNLI crew conducted a specific search of the area, which was then executed for a number of hours.

Despite the extensive search, conducted in good search conditions, no sign of the vessel was found and they were stood down.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: "It is likely that the vessel in question had broken free of its moorings during the recent storms and has now most likely fully sunk.

"Confident that no lives were at risk, the lifeboat returned to the station at 17.50 and the boat was prepared again for service."