Lifeboat crews rush to weekend rescues

The drama on Sunday began at 12.57 when Humber Coastguards requested the launch of RNLI Whitby's All-weather lifeboat George and Mary Webb to assist a 21-foot speedboat in difficulty with two persons on board.

The pair had managed to contact the Coastguards by mobile telephone to say that they were unable to re-start their engine and that the boat was in danger of being pushed by the flood tide close to the surf and onto Whitby rock, a RNLI spokesman said.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched just after 1pm to help the stricken boat which was then half a mile north off the pier end.

The speedboat was towed clear of the surf and returned safely back into Whitby harbour and berthed near the fish quay.

The second call-out came just after 3.30pm to assist the charter vessel Chieftain with 14 people on board which was in difficulties with a fouled propeller.

The lifeboat crew rendezvoused with Chieftain – a former Royal Navy training vessel – about three and a half miles north west of Whitby.

The skipper was given the option to be towed to Hartlepool but wanted to be back in his home port of Whitby, a spokesman for the lifeboat service added.

The RNLI lifeboat crew prepared a drogue, a parachute designed to drag in the water, which was to be deployed from Chieftain to help when the tow was shortened before entering Whitby harbour.

The rescue team was concerned about the swell at the harbour entrance and because of the large weight of the stricken vessel.

But everything went smoothly and it was decided to tow the Chieftain into the safety of the upper harbour where the boat was safely berthed.