LIFEBOAT crews have issued a warning about the importance of maintaining equipment before going out to sea.

Hartlepool RNLI’s Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat was called out to help two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) in separate incidents this morning.

Volunteers were out on exercise when they received a call at 10.17am from Humber Coastguard reporting that a 4.6m RIB had suffered mechanical failure just off the Heugh Pier, Hartlepool.

The boat, with one person on board, was towed back to Hartlepool lifeboat station after its engine could not be restarted.

Emergency pagers beeped again at 11.50am with a report of another RIB that had suffered gear box failure two miles south of the entrance to Hartlepool Marina.

The stricken vessel was found stranded on the beach near the Staincliffe Hotel.

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer Helm Clare Gibbin, said: “We transferred a volunteer crew member onto the RIB, which had two people onboard, and attached a towline.

"Using a steady tow we released the boat from the beach and made a slow tow back to Middleton Harbour North slipway.’

Mike Craddy, Hartlepool RNLI’s Operations Manager, added: “We cannot stress strongly enough how important it is that vessels are maintained regularly and their equipment is in good order before going to sea.’