Looe lifeboat crews were called to investigate reports of an unoccupied fishing boat drifting off Seaton beach on Sunday lunchtime.

Both inshore lifeboats had just been washed down and refuelled after Sunday morning’s planned exercise in Looe bay with HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 924. 

Less than 90 minutes later, pagers alerted the crew to the reports. 

Launching within five minutes, the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II headed across Looe Bay towards Seaton. 

From a distance the boat appeared to be a small fishing boat, but as the Atlantic 85 drew closer, the helm,  Brian Bowdler, identified flags indicating a diver was in the water. 

The helm made a cautious approach to the boat just as the diver surfaced. Confirming the diver was not in difficulty the lifeboat returned to Looe.

A spokesman said: ‘Displaying correct flags when diving alerts other boat users to a diver in the water.

‘The Atlantic 85 crew were pleased to find that the occupant of the boat was following appropriate procedures when diving, allowing them to approach the boat and diver safely.’

‘This has been a busy week for Looe RNLI volunteers who have launched lifeboats on four separate occasions this week, and conducted the exercise with the coastguard helicopter.’

Atlantic 85 crew: Brian Bowdler (helm), David Jackman, Aaron Rix and Robert Deakin

Shore crew: Graham Rich, John Pope, Paul Barley and Nick Pope