Cleethorpes and Humber RNLI lifeboats go to aid of stranded cruiser

Both boats were launched around 4pm when the crew of a pleasure cruiser called the UK Coastguard after running aground in the River Humber opposite Immingham.

By the time the lifeboats arrived, the tide had dropped and the vessel was well aground on a large mud bank, and the vessel couldn't be reached by land or water.

The decision was taken to return to refloat the vessel at the next high tide, and the 3 persons on board were evacuated to safety by the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter based at nearby Humberside Airport.

Just after midnight, both lifeboats relaunched to the vessel and as the tide rose, towed it to deeper water. Finding no apparent damage, the engines were successfully restarted and volunteer crew from Cleethorpes took the boat to Grimsby docks under it's own power, escorted by the Humber Lifeboat.

Shaun Sonley, helmsman of Cleethorpes Lifeboat, said "This has been a late night for our volunteers, we're pleased there were no injuries and the boat has been taken to safety in port."

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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