LIFEBOATMEN came to the aid of two fishermen after their 35-foot boat suffered mechanical failure and was in danger of drifting into dangerous waters.
The fishermen radioed Humber Coastguard who called on Sunderland RNLI to launch its B Class inshore lifeboat Wolseley on Saturday morning. (JAN24) The lifeboat launched five minutes later and quickly located the stricken vessel drifting a mile north east of Sunderland Harbour entrance.
Anthony Jobling, Helmsman for Sunderland RNLI, said: "When we located the vessel it was drifting and being pushed steadily southwards by the prevailing wind.
"Once alongside the fishing vessel we transferred a lifeboat volunteer across onto the vessel to allow us to secure a line to tow the boat and its crew to safety."
The vessel and its unharmed crew [were towed back to their own moorings in the city’s North Dock Marina.
Mr Jobling added: "Although on this occasion the fishing boat and its crew were in no immediate danger it is none the less essential to ensure that our lifeboat makes best speed to such incidents as conditions and circumstances can quickly change at sea. "The vessel was already under the influence of a strong northerly wind which could have easily driven the stricken vessel into dangerous waters."
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