SIX people onboard a boat were rescued after smoke was seen coming from the engine.

The Swanage lifeboat was launched at 12.43pm this afternoon after RNLI volunteers received an emergency call about a small powerboat that had smoke coming from its engine just off Peveril Ledge.

Upon arrival, five of the six people onboard were moved onto the lifeboat and two crew from the lifeboat went onto the powerboat to investigate.

Crew members found that the engine was not on fire but had overheated which caused the smoke.

A spokesman for Swanage Lifeboat said: "A ‘pan-pan’ urgency call to the UK Coastguard alerted them to a small powerboat with six people onboard that had shut down an engine after smoke was seen coming from the engine bay.

"The Swanage lifeboat launched and was alongside very quickly as the casualty was just off Peveril Ledges.

"Five of the six crew were taken on board the lifeboat as a precaution and two crew from the lifeboat went on board to investigate.

"Careful investigation suggested that the engine was not on fire but had lost coolant and was overheating, but firefighters were called to the boathouse to further check the boat over – arriving as the casualty, escorted by the lifeboat, arrived at the council jetty under its remaining functional engine.

"After being checked over and declared safe the skipper decided to head back to their mooring in Poole Harbour and the lifeboat escorted them to Old Harry Rocks before returning to station.