RNLI crews from Teignmouth and Exmouth launched after reports of a Mayday call from a fishing vessel that had water flooding into the engine room.

Exmouth RNLI launched at 6.45am yesterday (Monday 21 October) HM Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Exmouth RNLI in response to a Mayday call from a fishing vessel that had water flooding into the engine room.

The all-weather lifeboat, R&J Welburn, and six volunteer crew launched and made best speed to the reported location of the vessel. 

Due to the serious nature of the incident, volunteer colleagues from Teignmouth RNLI had also been paged and launched their lifeboat, The Two Annes, to provide further assistance. A number of vessels also responded to the call for help.

The fishing vessel was approximately three miles east of Teignmouth and the Teignmouth RNLI crew arrived on scene first, followed shortly after by the Exmouth RNLI crew. Both crews were then able to place a number of crew and salvage pumps on board to lower the level of water in the engine room and allow a subsequent safe tow to be attached by one of the responding fishing vessels.

Exmouth RNLI launched at 6.45am yesterday (Monday 21 October) HM Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Exmouth RNLI in response to a Mayday call from a fishing vessel that had water flooding into the engine room.

Neil Armitage, Exmouth RNLI Launch Authority said: "This was another great piece of teamwork from our RNLI volunteers and our sincere thanks to the other vessels who also responded to the call for help. Our Exmouth volunteer crew eventually got safely back to the station for midday."