Five fishermen were plucked to safety yesterday from the hull of their boat after it was capsized by a large wave off the Westcountry coast.

The Girl Rona was returning to her home port of Teignmouth when she was swamped close to the harbour entrance.

Despite the impact, which rolled the vessel on to a well-known shingle bar, the crew were able to scramble clear and cling on to the hull of the 15-metre (49ft) vessel.

Brixham coastguards received numerous 999 calls from members of the public who saw the accident unfold.

The RNLI lifeboat from Teignmouth was alerted just after 1.30pm and was quickly at the scene, some 500 yards away.

Tony Watson, spokesman for the lifeboat station, said: "She was coming down the main channel in to the harbour and was hit by a big wave and overturned.

"She didn't sink but is resting on her side.

"They managed to climb up on top of the boat but still got a bit of a soaking.

"There was a fair sea running and it was not a simple job. Some debris is being washed off the boat and is being swept ashore – there is a whiff of diesel in the air."

The boat's crew were rushed back to the harbour where they were checked over by paramedics. Nobody was injured in the incident.

Jim Portus, chief executive of the South West Fish Producer's Organisation, said Teignmouth could be a difficult port to navigate.

"I have lived in and around Newton Abbot for 30 years and I have known a number of mariners from Teignmouth over the years," he said. "It is a tricky approach.

"A number of merchant ships have gone aground there while coming in and out of Teignmouth.

"I am certain that this was just one of those things because the shingle bank there moves, particularly in the winter months, and you don't always know the exact position of it.

"Obviously you have to keep your wits about you and hope that there hasn't been a major shift in the last 24 hours."

He added: "From a mariner's point of view the entrance and exit from any harbour is always the most tricky of operations.

"Teignmouth is not the worst entrance in the Westcountry and it is certainly not the easiest.

"We're very grateful for all concerned that there was no loss of life and hope that she's salvaged quickly and put back into service quickly."

As darkness fell last night, and the tide rose, a salvage operation was under way to free the vessel.

Teignmouth harbourmaster Captain David Platt said: "The lifeboat has gone out with the skipper and some of the crew to see if we can get the fish hold open to lighten her load.

"Having done that, we'll see if we can get a line on her and hopefully pull her upright."

Teignmouth coastguard rescue team was coordinating efforts ashore and helping to collect any debris.