LIFEBOAT volunteers proved their worth when they completed one of their fastest ever rescues just off the coast North Yorkshire yesterday

Two male sailors got into difficulties at Runswick Bay when their dinghy capsized - and the Staithes and Runswick RNLI team sped into action.

And it was less than ten minutes after the first alarm was raised that the Staithes Atlantic 85 lifeboat arrived.

They pulled the passengers out of the sea and onto the lifeboat, and returned them to the beach at Runswick with no injuries.

It took only four minutes for a crew to gather at Staithes and work together to launch their boat.

The crew then set off on a high speed ride to Runswick Bay which took no longer than five minutes.

The alarm was raised by the RNLI’s new lifeguard team at Runswick, who have been applauded for their quick work.

One of the lifeguards on duty took a paddle board out to the dinghy to ensure the sailors were safe and reassure them that a lifeboat was on its way.

The Staithes lifeboat crew were then joined by the independent Runswick Bay Rescue Boat and the dinghy was brought upright again.

A spokesman for Staithes and Runswick RNLI said: “This was an exemplary operation completed at optimum speed.

“The value of our new lifeguard team at Runswick was underlined."

He added: "On the eve of our annual Lifeboat Weekend it is a timely reminder to all our visitors at both villages of what a professional job we do in keeping people safe at the seaside.”