LIFEBOAT crews towed a stricken 156-tonne fishing boat back to port late at night.

The 24-metre beam trawler broke down on Saturday, October 1, and required the assistance of the RNLI.

Swanage lifeboat towed the vessel frim around 10 miles south of The Needles to the entrance of Poole Harbour, where a crew from Poole assisted from around 10pm with shadowing them to Poole Quay.

The rescue effort was supported by Poole Harbour Control and coastguard rescue teams from Poole and Southbourne.

The fishing boat was left alongside the quay so it could be safely accessed to be repaired.

Bournemouth Echo: Swanage Lifeboat coming alongside the fishing vessel. Picture: RNLI/PooleSwanage Lifeboat coming alongside the fishing vessel. Picture: RNLI/Poole (Image: RNLI/Poole)

Poole RNLI returned to station and refuelled before both of the stations boats were tasked to the area of Lake Pier and Rockley Point to assist with searches for a missing person.

After nothing untoward was found, the lifeboats returned to the station shortly after 3am on Sunday, October 2.