A STRICKEN fishing boat had to be rescued by lifeboat crews on Wednesday.

The 28ft boat had four people on board and was said to be located near to Salt Scar Buoy off the Redcar coast when the call came in at 5pm.

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer crew launched their all weather lifeboat and discovered the vessel had floated two miles south of Salt Scar Buoy. They found the Redcar inshore lifeboat had the stricken fishing boat under tow.

"When we arrived on scene we were told that the fishing boat had suffered problems with its fuel. The towline was quickly moved from Redcar RNLI’s inshore lifeboat to Hartlepool RNLI’s all weather lifeboat and we had the stricken vessel under tow at 5.54pm," said Assistant Coxwain Clare Gibbin.

The fishing boat was towed nine miles back to the safety of Kafiga Landings at Hartlepool Fish Quay arriving at 7.20pm.

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Craddy said: "It is important that anyone going to sea has their vessel and equipment checked and maintained regularly. Our volunteer crewmembers train regularly to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to help save lives at sea."