Oh dear, how embarrassing…

Members of the Exmouth National Coastwatch Institution team had to send out an SOS when their boat suffered mechanical problems off Teignmouth.

The three off-duty watchkeepers were on a local recognition trip in a rigid inflatable when it began moving erratically off the pier.

They put out a mayday call on their radio, which was immediately picked up by Solent Coastguard, who alerted the Teignmouth lifeboat.

But the Teign C harbour vessel was close by and managed to tow the stricken craft safely into harbour.

The drama in rough seas was witnessed by concerned Teignmouth Coastwatch members from their new lookout, but it was only later they discovered those in peril were from the Exmouth branch.

And they insist they did not revel in the difficulties of the Exmouth personnel, and merely commented: ‘It just shows that problems at sea can happen to anyone.’