Distress call prompts Exmouth RNLI and coastguard response

A DISTRESS call made from a speedboat near Sandy Bay on Saturday afternoon prompted Exmouth coastguard and the town's RNLI crew to swing into action.

A DISTRESS call made from a speedboat near Sandy Bay on Saturday afternoon prompted Exmouth coastguard and the town's RNLI crew to swing into action.

Portland coastguard became concerned for the vessel's skipper after the phone line cut out before the call ended.

Not knowing the full extent of the problem, both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched.

The crew discovered a broken down speedboat with four people on board near Littleham cove.

The vessel was towed back to the safety of Shelley Beach by the inshore lifeboat crew.