VOLUNTEER crewmembers from Hartlepool’s RNLI team were called to two incidents over the weekend.

On Saturday (June 1) at 3.46pm the coastguard requested the launch of inshore lifeboat after a member of the public reported that two youths were thought to be in difficulty while swimming in Hartlepool Marina near to the Old West Quay pub.

Mike Craddy, Hartlepool RNLI’s Operations Manager, said: “Just as we were launching we were stood down as it appeared that the youths were not in danger and had been spoken to by a Police Officer and departed the scene.”

The second shout came on Sunday afternoon at 1.48pm after a 30 foot yacht suffered mechanical failure just off the Heugh.

The inshore lifeboat was launched at 2pm and arrived on scene shortly after. A rope was attached to the vessel and the yacht was towed into Hartlepool Marina at 2.25pm.

Mr Craddy said: “The yacht, with five people on board, was out in Hartlepool Bay enjoying the good weather when it suffered mechanical failure. It was towed safely into the Marina. It is important that maintenance of boats is carried out regularly and that all equipment is checked prior to going to sea.”