THE RNLI has thanked a member of the public who alerted them to a fishing boat that got stuck on rocks off the Co Down coast, leaving the skipper forced to try and paddle ashore with a piece of wood.
The eagle-eyed person called 999 after spotting the small vessel had lost power close to Millisle and its occupant was in the water trying to swim to safety on Saturday evening.
A relief Lifeboat managed to tow both the vessel and its uninjured skipper back to shore, where he was passed to the care of the Coast Guard.
Donaghadee Lifeboat deputy coxswain John Ashwod said: "Well done to the member of the public for reporting this incident. Things can go wrong unexpectedly on boats and the sooner we can attend an incident the better all round.
"As always we would recommend that when going to sea you carry a means of communication and always wear a lifejacket."
