EXMOUTH'S new lifeboat station has resulted in a reduction in launch time, the RNLI has said.

EXMOUTH'S new lifeboat station has resulted in a reduction in launch time, the RNLI has said.

The all-weather lifeboat, Margaret Jean, was last week tasked on a mayday call - the first launch for the vessel since the crew moved to the new boathouse at the end of 2009.

Kevin Riley, Exmouth lifeboat operations manager, said the crew was on the water within 15 minutes - 40 per cent quicker than when the vessel was moored off the docks.

Exmouth RNLI coxswain Tim Mock said: ''We were more than ready for our first launch as we have been training intensively for the last few months.

"The whole process went very well and a great credit to all our crew and new launching crew."

At the request of Brixham coastguards, Exmouth and Torbay all-weather lifeboats were launched after a mayday call was received from a 13-mile stretch of coastline between Orcombe and Torbay.

Mr Mock said: "With zero visibility, Exmouth's all-weather lifeboat carried out the search using radar.

"After a three hour search, nothing untoward was found and the volunteer crew returned to the boathouse.