A hen party has had a Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta never to be forgotten – after their boat got stuck in mud.

A Dart RNLI spokesman said: ’The RNLI were tasked by the Coastguard to an incident at Old Mill Creek at 7.28pm last night. ’A female party of four had gone aground on an ebbing tide.

The Coastguard Search and Rescue team, headed up by Andy Pound, requested the RNLI and fire service to assist.

’Mud mats were deployed to get the casualties off the hire boat and into the lifeboat.

’The police transferred the mud mats to the lifeboat crew who positioned them as directed.

’The lifeboat crew picked up and transferred two fireman trained in mud rescue, and two members of the Coastguard Search and Rescue team to the mud mats.

’Two of the casualties were transferred to the lifeboat via the mud mats and taken to Sandquay.

’The lifeboat returned to the scene to pick up the remaining two casualties and reunite them with their friends. The party were cold but otherwise unhurt.

They came back to the lifeboat station for a warm drink and to meet and thank the lifeboat crew.

’The girls were on a hen party. The irony is the bride to be had requested a "no fuss and low key" day. The hens who had arranged the day thought an afternoon afloat on the beautiful River Dart would set the mood for dinner in Dartmouth in the evening.

’Best laid plans and all of that.

’I don’t think they will ever forget the hen party. Amy, all at Dart RNLI wish you a wonderful wedding day and don’t forget to send us a snap.

’It was Harry Eaton’s first shout with Dart RNLI. Harry is a lifeboat crewman with Teddington RNLI.’

Lifeboat Crew:- Buster Hart, helm; Harry Eaton and Jamie Mathys, crew.

Shore Crew : Mark Strudwick and Chris Rampling

DLA : Jerry Gilby

Photographs: Dart Lifeboat crew and Riki Bannister

Photographs are the property of Dart RNLI.