EXMOUTH RNLI lifeboat launches for the second time in a day, this time to search for a potential missing person on the River Exe.

At around 7pm on Friday (November 8), H.M. Coastguard requested the launch of the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew and lifeboat to a report of a potentially trapped individual in the vicinity of Halsdon Farm on the River Exe.

The inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II, with three volunteer crew onboard, launched shortly after and made best speed to the location.

Working in partnership with our friends from Exmouth Coastguard Rescue team, and with limited water due to the low tide conditions, a thorough search was made of both the water and the shoreline, with lifeboat crew members wading along the muddy shoreline in the dark to ensure that nothing was missed.

After searching for over an hour, it was concluded that the call-out was a false alarm with good intent and that the individual spotted must have already safely made their way to shore.

H.M Coastguard therefore stood down our volunteers just before 9pm and they returned to the lifeboat station.

In scenarios like this, we would much rather a member of the public call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, rather than risk someone being left in danger.