A trawler which ran aground and capsized off the Devon coast, sparking the rescue of her five-man crew, was safely back in port yesterday after an overnight salvage operation.

The incident involving the 15-metre (49ft) Girl Rona happened on January 30 as she made her way back to her home port of Teignmouth.

She was hit by a huge wave and became stuck on a sand bar. The five fishermen on board managed to scramble on to the side of the vessel and were rescued, unharmed, by the Teignmouth lifeboat.

Work has been ongoing since then to free the vessel, with its catch and other gear being unloaded and her fuel pumped off, to minimise any environmental threat.

Teignmouth harbourmaster David Vaughan said the fishing boat was freed and back in the harbour by 4.30am yesterday.

"At half tide, which was about 1am, she began to move and she was disentangled from being attached to the sand," he said. "By 3am she was floating and stable, albeit over at an angle.

"On the rising tide she was brought into the harbour, where she is now alongside."

The salvage operation was carried out by a tug and a number of vessels from Teignmouth Maritime Services.

The fishing boat, which is owned by Peter 'Buster' Boyne, is thought to be structurally sound.

"It is a great accolade for everybody concerned," Mr Vaughan added. "There was a lot of mutual help and support during what was a reasonably complicated operation."