The volunteer RNLI crew in Barrow were called into action over the Bank Holiday after a catamaran in the Irish Sea lost power.

The request for assistance to go and assess the situation was received from HM Coastguard at 9:51am on Sunday, May 26.

The all-weather lifeboat, Grace Dixon, was launched at 10:15am to assist the yacht that was 'in difficulty' some 26 miles south-west of Walney Island.

The Coxswain Shaun Charnley was together with a crew of six with the lifeboat making 'best speed' to the scene.

Fleetwood RNLI volunteers were also tasked by the Coastguard to attend and they launched their all-weather lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint.

A spokesman from Barrow RNLI said: "The Barrow crew arrived on scene first at 11:25am where they found that the casualty vessel, a 36ft catamaran, with two people on board, was under tow by a small rescue boat launched from a supply vessel attending a nearby gas platform.

"The catamaran had lost engine power, and one of the crew had an unrelated injury."

According to the RNLI team, the Fleetwood lifeboat arrived just a short time after their own arrival.

"So having assessed the situation, it was agreed that the Fleetwood lifeboat would take over the tow and head for Fleetwood, as that was the nearest safe and suitable port," said the spokesman.

"The Barrow lifeboat was stood down and proceeded back to Roa Island where it arrived at 12.30pm and was rehoused by the waiting shore crew and made ready for the next call-out."