LIVERPOOL Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue of four youths from a 12-foot fishing boat at the mouth of Whitehaven harbour, Cumbria, yesterday.
The four contacted coastguards to say they were running out of petrol in rough seas and were in urgent need of assistance.
The St Bees and Workington inshore lifeboats were launched and the Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team mobilised.
Another vessel, The Sentinel, which was near the Sellafield site, also responded to the emergency.
By the time rescuers arrived the vessel had been beached south of Whitehaven and the four were recovered from the craft and the water.
Paul Parkes, Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager said:“We are in no doubt that these ill- equipped youths on board the vessel were in grave and imminent danger and had the situation been allowed to deteriorate may have lost their lives.”
