Reports of a lone kayak or paddle board in the sea at Sidmouth - without anyone on it - prompted action from the lifeboat service which was on the scene within minutes.
But on arrival it was a case of mistaken identity, when it was discovered to be a large driftwood log.
Sidmouth Lifeboat was called to the scene, approximately half a mile due south of the sea front, with the rescue ski following a page from Solent coastguard on Sunday at about 7.30pm.
Concerns had been raised over an object at sea, thought to have been a kayak or paddle board floating with no one on it, but with someone close by.
However upon arrival the team confirmed the object was a log, although a search of the area was carried out to ensure nothing else was a cause for concern.
Sidmouth lifeboat crew were stood down at 19:50.
A Sidmouth Lifeboat spokesman said: “All calls to the coastguard are always made with the best of intentions and lifeboat crews will always respond.”
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