Lifeboat crews from Port St Mary were scrambled on Monday to help the crew of a stricken fishing vessel.

Port St Mary RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth was launched at around 10.52am on Bank Holiday Monday with seven volunteer crew members on board.

The launch followed reports of a fishing boat experiencing engine difficulties approximately six miles south of Langness.

The lifeboat arrived at the vessel at around 11.09am and, after speaking to the skipper, a decision was made to tow the vessel back to Port St Mary Harbour.

The fishing boat and its crew arrived safely at the harbour at 12.20pm. The lifeboat was then refuelled and returned to its mooring, ready for service.

Port St Mary RNLI lifeboat operations manager Mike Teare said: ‘I'd like to thank our volunteer crew, who dropped what they were doing on a Bank Holiday Monday to answer the call for help.

‘While people often see the launch as the main part of the job, it's only one part of what our volunteers do.

‘The crew had been training yesterday and, even after returning from a rescue, there is still work to be done to refuel the lifeboat, clean equipment and make sure the boat is ready for the next shout at a moment's notice.

‘I spoke with the crew of the fishing boat after they arrived safely in harbour and they were extremely grateful for the assistance they received.

‘As Lifeboat Operations Manager, I'm equally grateful for the commitment and dedication shown by our volunteers, on and off the boat, who give up their time to help others whenever they are needed.’