SWANAGE Lifeboat volunteers were called out on New Year’s Eve to a cargo ship that had lost power south of Lulworth.

The 81metre ship, which had seven people onboard, was around five nautical miles offshore but was getting closer to St Alban’s Head just after 6pm.

A tug from Poole Harbour was tasked to assist along with Weymouth’s lifeboat.

With the tow still not connected and the ship was becoming closer to the shore, the decision was made to page the Swanage crew just before 7.30pm.

The tug’s first attempt to connect a tow had failed and they were getting in position to try again.

The tug got a line to the ship again but the ship’s crew failed to get the heavy tow line aboard.

After about an hour and several more attempts the tug’s towline was finally connected to the ship and they slowly started to head towards Poole Bay.

Weymouth lifeboat was stood down to return to station and the Swanage crew were tasked to escort the tug and ship until they reached a safe anchorage.

At around 11pm, the tug and tow arrived at the anchorage outside of Poole Harbour, speed was reduced and the ship’s anchor dropped.

Once UK Coastguard and the other skippers were happy that the ship was secure and not drifting the lifeboat was released to return to Swanage.

The lifeboat was back on the slipway at 23.40pm, however, the crew didn’t make it back home for their New Year’s Eve celebrations as the lifeboat had to be washed down, refuelled and restocked ready for the next shout.