The 19 metre, 100 tonne Lindisfarne had suffered engine failure earlier while fishing 15 miles off the north east coast. Another trawler, the Boy Ian had taken the stricken vessel under tow and after a four-hour journey the pair had almost reached the safety of Tyne harbour when the tow rope parted, leaving Lindisfarne heading towards rocks at the base of cliffs at Tynemouth.

The RNLI Tynemouth lifeboat, with six volunteer crew aboard, reached the Lindisfarne in just a few minutes and quickly towed her away from danger into deeper water, before towing her into the Tyne without further mishap.

Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station said: ‘The Lindisfarne and her six crew were in serious danger of running onto the rocks. The tow was made more difficult by a sea swell and strong winds but the RNLI lifeboat crew’s fast response to the emergency and the Coxswain’s experience and skill meant that a potential disaster was avoided.’