At 05:00 the skipper of North Shields-based fishing vessel Sophie Louise II made a distress call to Humber Coastguard Maritime Rescue Centre reporting that his engine had failed and that he and his three crew were stranded.
Tynemouth RNLI’s all weather lifeboat Spirit of Northumberland with six volunteer crew aboard launched shortly afterwards and sped out to the casualty vessel, taking around 90 minutes to reach her.
The lifeboat’s tow rope was quickly attached to the Sophie Louise II and the long journey back to North Shields started.
Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station said: ‘The Sophie Louise II was in no immediate danger and sea conditions were very calm but the situation could have changed and a drifting boat is a danger to other vessels.
‘The 40 mile tow back to North Shields had to be made at just 6 knots to prevent the tow rope snapping so the journey took over five hours. This rescue mission was certainly one of the furthest out to sea ever made by Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station.’
