2:20PM, Mon Aug 27, 2012

Lifeboat Scrambled To Rescue Sunderland Fishing Boat - Twice

By Hugh Macknight Location: Sunderland

Sunderland RNLI Atlantic at Sea, by Adrian Don

A Sunderland RNLI crew rescued a fisherman whose boat engine failed - twice.

The initial rescue mission began when coastguard officers based at Humber Coastguard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre received an emergency VHF radio message from the solo crew stating that his vessel was drifting after losing power 200m outside of Sunderland harbour.

But just before the lifeboat was launched the fisherman, of Ashbrooke, called to say he had been able to restart his engine and no longer required assistance.

The launch of the lifeboat was cancelled and the lifeboat volunteers were stood down.

Thirty minutes later, as the vessel headed back to its moorings it suffered further engine problems and drifted up against Corporation Quay.

The inshore lifeboat launched five minutes later and the boat was towed back to its mooring at Sunderland Fish Quay.

Clive Fallon, Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said: "When we received the information from Sunderland Coastguard our immediate concern was that the vessel could become damaged or trapped beneath Corporation Quay.

"Thankfully we were able to respond quickly and attach a line to pull the vessel clear of the quayside before it came to any harm."