RNLI assist fisherman whose boat was ruptured by rocks

Two lifeboats were launched to the aide of a fishing boat, which had crashed into rocks at Looe, Cornwall, on Monday morning.

The vessel had reportedly hit rocks near the island whilst the skipper was fishing for mackerel.

The Atlantic lifeboat Alan and Margaret and D class Ollie Naismith were launched at 6.50am and crews proceeded to the scene of the Norvik fishing boat, west of Looe Island.

Local fishing boat Jane Louise, which was nearby, responded to the Mayday made by the skipper and retrieved him from the sinking boat.

On arrival, Looe lifeboat crews battled to save the vessel.

Lifeboat operations manager at Looe RNLI, David Haines said: “A salvage pump was put aboard but the water was pouring in through a large hole under the engine and the pumping was abandoned.

“The vessel quickly sank and the lifeboat crews stayed on the scene to pick up debris and bring it ashore.”

The skipper was unharmed.