Fishermen Rescued From The North Sea

29 July 2014, 07:14 | Updated: 29 July 2014, 07:15

Two fishermen have been rescued after their boat sank off the North East coast, 12 miles north of Sunderland.

The pair had been fishing when their boat appeared to hit a submerged object, sinking so quickly they did not have time to make a distress call.

Humber Coastguard said they were picked up by a Dutch yacht Jager at 4.40pm yesterday.

The crew contacted the coastguard which arranged for a lifeboat from Hartlepool to pick up the fishermen and bring them to shore.

Mike Puplett, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said:
"Both of the fishermen are now safe and well, although a little shaken by their ordeal.

We'd like to thank the Dutch yacht Jager which rescued the men and went out of their way to ensure their safety.''

Coastguard teams are now searching for the wreckage of the boat and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.