A child and three adults had to be rescued from a sinking boat in the Irish Sea in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A major rescue operation was sparked at 1.10am after Belfast Coastguard received a call to say a boat was in trouble between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
The vessel had been travelling from Glasgow to Conwy in Wales when it ran into difficulties and began taking on water 11 miles west of Peel.
The multi-agency response involved two war ships, three helicopters, a fishing vessel and the neighbouring Peel RNLI crew on the Isle of Man were tasked to the stricken craft.
The fishing boat 'Stephanie M' from Kilkeel was first on the scene and offered support until the rescuers arrived.
The lifeboat crew were able to put a pump on board the sinking vessel and evacuate the water. The boat, described as a 20m converted fishing trawler was then stabilised and the helicopters and other vessels were stood down.
The lifeboat towed the craft into Peel harbour at around 5am.
A young lady and child onboard were taken to Nobles Hospital on the Isle of Man for treatment after falling ill during the rescue. It is not thought any of those on-board were from Northern Ireland.
Peel RNLI Coxswain Paul Cain urged boat owners to ensure their vessels are fit for the water before embarking on any journey.
“People must take responsibility for the condition of their vessels before leaving port," he said.
