A MAYDAY call for help from two people aboard a stricken boat drifting towards rocks has seen RNLI volunteers called to help rescue the pair.

A vessel has lost all engine power near Hartlepool Marina at around 8am on Father’s Day, with two people aboard issuing a distress call to the Humber Coastguard at 8.10am.

The Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat with four volunteer crew members launched at 8.30am, but in the meantime, the pair aboard the stricken vessel managed to safely return to the marina after restarting the engine.

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboats operations manager Chris Hornsey said: “Fortunately the incident was over quickly and our volunteer crew members were able to go home and hopefully enjoy a peaceful Father’s Day with their families.”

The inshore lifeboat returned the Ferry Road boathouse at 8.34am and was made ready for service by 8.45am.