Amble RNLI rescues person from sinking boat

The all-weather lifeboat, Elizabeth and Leonard, was launched at 3.55pm on Wednesday to assist the stricken vessel which was having severe problems outside of the town’s harbour.

The troubled 10-metre boat, with one person on board, was found to be sinking half-a-mile of the harbour entrance.

Before the lifeboat could consider a tow, its high capacity salvage pump had to be used to reduce the water level inside the sinking vessel.

The vessel was eventually towed to Amble boat club and beached.

Coxswain David Bell said: “If we had been a couple of minutes later we would have been too late.”

In what has been a busy week for the crew, Amble RNLI was called out yesterday at noon to help an eight-metre pleasure craft which was experiencing mechanical difficulties close to Coquet Island.

The all-weather lifeboat responded and met the boat south side of the Brigg area with three people plus a dog on board. A tow was rigged and the vessel towed into Amble Marina.

The charity then received another call for assistance later in the day at 4.30pm from Humber Coastguard.

This time the all-weather lifeboat was launched to a 14-foot boat with four people on board. The boat had broken down at the north end of Druridge bay.

However, as the lifeboat neared the boat, the people had managed to work their way ashore, so the operation was called off.

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 5.35pm.