THE crew of a cabin cruiser that almost sank off the east Cleveland coast was rescued by Redcar lifeboat.
On Sunday morning, the Coastwatch lookout saw the vessel, apparently in trouble, three-quarters of a mile out.
The Atlantic 21 lifeboat's crew found the boat had been hit by engine trouble, and was dangerously low in the water.
Dave Cammish, from Redcar lifeboat station, said: "A tow was quickly rigged, and the vessel taken closer to the shore.
"It would have been highly dangerous to attempt to enter the broken water near to the shore, so helmsman Andy Stonehouse transferred all four men into the lifeboat.
"In a difficult operation, the lifeboat edged the cruiser on to the shore without further damage, and it was recovered to a road trailer."
The crew were from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
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