A RECUE helicopter, lifeboat and two other vessels answered a Mayday call to save the men of ship taking in water at the weekend.
The skipper of a 28ft fishing vessel, the Baltic, reported that his boat was going down fast about four miles from Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast, on Saturday morning.
He and another man were returned to shore safely, as was the vessel.
Tyne Tees Coastguard watch manager Stewart Flack said: "The rate at which water poured into the vessel was extreme. The quick response of the search units and the flat calm sea saved this vessel from sinking."
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