MARINE engineers were last night examining a boat which suddenly capsized drowning two anglers.

The dead men have been named as Peter Blount, 47, from Redcar, Teesside, and 56-year-old Bernard Powell, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

Londoner Peter Ridout, the man who survived, has told police the motor cruiser took on water so rapidly after developing engine trouble the men did not have time to reach the on-board VHF radio to call for help.

Someone involved in the rescue operation told The Northern Echo last night: "It's quite a mystery as to how the boat has filled as rapidly as that.

"It was a lovely, substantially built craft, something you feel safe in - not a flimsy thing."

Mr Blount's uncle, Fred, said he could not understand how the tragedy had happened on what had been a flat, calm, sea. "There was no wind, it was a good day," he said,

And he said it was a surprise to him that his nephew had gone on the fishing trip.

"I was very surprised, I have never known him to go in a boat. According to his mother he got into a boat just once before."

Mr Blount's distraught mother, Margaret Bonson, said: "All we know is that he went out fishing."

She said her son had phoned his partner from the boat telling her: "We're having a marvellous time."

Teenagers James Hutchinson, 14, and Terry Milburn, 15, raised the alarm after seeing one of the men waving his arms and shouting, though they could not hear what he was saying.

There was so little of the boat protruding from the water, people on the shore thought it was a jet ski in trouble.

Redcar lifeboatmen found Mr Ridout clinging to the bow of the capsized craft, with a broken leg. He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

The bodies of his two companions were recovered during a search of the area by six lifeboats and an RAF helicopter.

Inspector John Blake, of Cleveland Police, said: "Police are continuing their inquires into the incident."

Officers are examining the boat with marine investigation specialists who have been brought in from Southampton.

Sunday's tragedy happened half a mile out into the Tees estuary off the South Gare breakwater, Redcar.

The men had been in the sea for between three and four hours before Mr Ridout's frantic waving was spotted.