A routine Sunday training exercise for Teignmouth RNLI turned into a real-life operation after two separate call-outs by HM Coastguard.

Both turned out to be false alarms, but the response was necessary to make sure no-one was in need of help.

Shortly after launching the inshore lifeboat ‘Claude and Kath’ the volunteer crew received an automated distress alert. The coastguard directed them to Torquay Marina where the alert was believed to have been activated.

After a search of the marina failed to locate the vessel, updated information directed the crew to Thatchers Rock, where they made contact with the boat. They found everyone on board to be safe and well, and confirmed that the alert had been activated by mistake, so they resumed their training exercise.

The lifeboat returned to station for a crew change, and was called out again by HM Coastguard to reports of an upturned kayak near Man Sands.

The Teignmouth crew were tasked to search the shoreline while Torbay’s lifeboat carried out an offshore sector search. No casualty was found, the kayak was recovered by Torbay RNLI and both lifeboats were stood down.

A spokesperson for Teignmouth RNLI said their crews are always ready to respond to call-outs, but people out on the water should report any accidental activation of distress alerts, to ensure that crews and resources are available for genuine emergencies.

They added: “For kayakers and paddleboarders, it's also a good idea to clearly label your craft with your name and a contact telephone number.

“If your kayak is found adrift after becoming separated from you, this information can help HM Coastguard quickly establish whether you're safe, potentially preventing lengthy searches and allowing rescue resources to be directed where they're most needed.”