SIX men were rescued from a drifting fishing vessel by lifeboat yesterday.

Volunteers from Sunderland's RNLI Lifeboat and HM Coastguard station's were launched into action when a 30ft fishing vessel suffered engine failure half-a-mile mile east of Sunderland Harbour Entrance.

The RNLI's Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Wolseley launched shortly before 4pm to assist the boat, whose crew had made an emergency 999 mobile phone telephone call.

The call was answered by Humber Coastguard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at Bridlington who immediately requested assistance from the Sunderland's RNLI Lifeboat and Sunderland MCA Coastguard Rescue Team.

Paul Nicholson, Senior Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: "With the assistance of Sunderland Coast-watch and Coastguard Team we were able to quickly locate the drifting vessel."

The vessel and its six occupants from South Shields, South Tyneside, were taken in tow by the lifeboat and returned to moorings at Deptford, Sunderland, where they was met by members of Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team.

Mr Nicholson added "The RNLI recommends that all vessels carry a suitably sized anchor and warp which can be deployed in the event of an emergency."

For general RNLI Sea safety advice and copies of documentation visit the RNLI Sea Safety website at www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety