TEENAGER Francis Marshall and his parents have thanked a lifeboat crew and coastguards who came to the young sailor's rescue after he was injured on board his catamaran.

Francis, 15, from Exmouth, suffered cuts to his head when he was hit by the jib of his boat two miles offshore.

GRATEFUL: The Mersey class lifeboat Margaret Jean, which went to the aid of Francis Marshall soon after being rededicated

The incident happened soon after Exmouth all-weather lifeboat the Margaret Jean was re-dedicated and blessed at a ceremony to mark the official opening of the resort's new £2million RNLI station on the seafront.

Francis, a pupil at Exmouth Community College, was sailing with a friend when he was injured by the mast, which struck him on the head.

A passing Coastguard cutter took the catamaran under tow and lifeboatman Andy Smith, who is a paramedic, went on board from the inshore RNLI inflatable George Bearman to help the injured youngster.

He was transferred to the Mersey-class lifeboat and taken to shore, where he was greeted by his parents before being taken to Exmouth Hospital.

Guests at the station's opening ceremony watched as the youngster was brought ashore.

His father, Michael, said: "My son received three stitches to his head, but he is all right now. I'd like to thank all those involved in helping him, including the people on the Coastguard boat and the RNLI.

"He was not kept in hospital and his injuries were not serious. He was not badly hurt and is going back to school to start the new term today."

A spokeswoman for Exmouth RNLI said the rescue took place soon after 3.40pm on Saturday following the successful opening ceremony.

The rededication of the Margaret Jean and blessing were carried out by the Rev Stephen Hoyle.

"Both lifeboats were launched to give the guests a demonstration of a mock rescue," the spokeswoman said.

"Just minutes after they finished and were heading back up the ramp of the lifeboat station the pagers went off for real and the visitors watched as the crew sprang into action."

"The cutter was in the area and took the catamaran and another crew member under tow, and the inshore lifeboat George Bearman stood by in attendance.

"Lifeboatman Andy Smith, who is a paramedic, went on board to assess the casualty. They were then transferred to the all-weather lifeboat.