But every shout is worth checking
Exmouth RNLI volunteers have responded to two reported emergencies recently, both of which turned out not to need their help.
On Tuesday evening, the coastguard was alerted flashing lights seen close to the cliffs between Orcombe Point and Sandy Bay.
The inshore lifeboat launched within minutes of the call at 9.10 p.m., not long after it had got dark.
The crew made their way to the last reported sighting of the flashes. It turned out to be less of an emergency than first thought. People fishing on the beach were using torches and no one was in danger.
On Wednesday evening, just before dusk, the same lifeboat launched following a report of two paddleboarders caught in a rip current off Exmouth seafront.
The lifeboat made its way to the scene but was stood down minutes later when it was established that the two casualties had received assistance from a passing vessel and were no longer in need of rescue.
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