Hartlepool RNLI team helps bring in trawler after breakdown out at sea

Hartlepool RNLI was paged at 12.11pm today, Monday, May 18, to assist a 140 ton, 24-metre trawler after it suffered mechanical failure last night south of Hartlepool and was being towed back to port by another trawler.

The all-weather lifeboat met the trawlers off the nearby Heugh breakwater and assisted the towing trawler to bring the vessel safely to Hartlepool, where the Coastguard team assisted with mooring lines.

Coxswain Robbie Maiden said: “What could have been a difficult tow was made easier by excellent teamwork from our volunteer crew and good communication with the towing vessel.

“Hartlepool RNLI remains on call and is fully operational during the coronavirus pandemic.

“While there is no crew training or exercises taking place our volunteers are here if people need us.”

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