Douglas’s lifeboat this morning was called to the rescue of a fishing boat.

The boat, with just one person on board, had left Laxey harbour earlier in the morning to fish in Laxey Bay when the boat’s engine failed about one mile offshore.

With the strong north westerly wind blowing the vessel out to sea, and the boat’s anchor failing to hold, the lone fisherman radioed the Coastguard for assistance.

Douglas RNLI all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer was launched under the command of volunteer coxswain Graeme Cushnie at 7.10am.

Crossing Douglas Bay in a moderate swell, the crew experienced a larger sea swell when they rounded Clay Head and by which time the fishing boat had drifted a further mile offshore.

Having made contact with the vessel, and after ensuring its single occupant was not in need of any assistance himself, the small fishing boat was taken under tow.

With the tide in their favour the crew of the lifeboat were able to return the casualty vessel back into Laxey harbour where the Coastguard was waiting to assist.