Tynemouth lifeboat helps stranded boat

The all weather lifeboat was on a routine training exercise when the crew heard the skipper of the angling boat First Dawn radio Humber Coastguard for assistance at 10.30am.

The stranded boat was just half a mile away so the lifeboat immediately went to the anglers’ aid and towed the vessel to Royal Quays Marina, where they could make repairs.

Once at Royal Quays the casualty was made fast on a pontoon before the lifeboat was refuelled and returned to station, arriving at mid-day.

It was the second callout in days for the lifeboat crew who were alerted late on Friday night after a fishing vessel’s engine failed.

The skipper of the North Shields-based 32′ Venture called Humber Coastguard for assistance at 22:45 after his engine overheated, causing it to shut down, leaving the boat and its two occupants stranded three miles off Cresswell.

The all weather lifeboat launched just a few minutes after being paged and steamed at best speed the 13 miles to reach the casualty vessel.

Once the Venture was located, the volunteer crew quickly attached a tow rope and brought the vessel back to safety at North Shields Fish Quay.

Once the vessel was securely tied up the lifeboat refuelled and returned to station arriving at 01.55am