At 16:29 hrs today Monday 4 May 2020 Exmouth RNLI All Weather Lifeboat 13-33 Bridie O’Shea was launched following a request by H.M. Coastguard after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) had been activated in the area.
The lifeboat launched at 16:51hrs under the command of Coxswain Steve Hockings-Thompson and volunteer crew members, who immediately went to the area as advised by the Coastguard and commenced a search along the coastline from Exmouth to Torquay.
Due to the imprecise nature of the beacon activation, H.M. Coastguard issued an additional request to launch Exmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat D755 Peggy D at 17:07hrs. The vessel was launched at 17:15hrs under the command of Helm, Henry Mock and was on scene at 17:20hrs, having been tasked to commence a search of the River Exe area. The lifeboats were assisted during the operation by Teignmouth RNLI and an H.M. Coastguard Helicopter.
Following an extensive search by both RNLI lifeboats, no vessel was found in distress and the activation of the beacon is believed to have been accidentally set off on land.
Both lifeboats returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station where they were back on service by 19:30hrs.
