Just after the opening ceremony for Exmouth RNLI’s new boathouse, the crews’ pagers went off and guests saw both lifeboats launched on a real rescue.

A catamaran sailor had been injured and was picked up by a passing Customs cutter (pictured). One of the lifeboat crew, a paramedic, gave the sailor first aid and he was brought to shore aboard the newly blessed Mersey class lifeboat Margaret Jean. Deputy Launching Authority Pete Thomas says: ‘As this incident occurred during a ceremony, it should be noted that this was probably the best dressed crew to attend a casualty!’