Stranded on tidal waters

THE engine of a 50ft narrowboat failing on the tidal river left it stranded and drifting whilst the two woman crew attempted to restart the engine.

The boat was where the Astland joins the Ribble, and was drifting out to sea when the Fylde lifeboat came to its rescue.

Overheated

The engine had overheated through lack of water, but would not start, so the inshore lifeboat towed the boat to the entrance to Tarleton Lock on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

The crew managed to push the boat into the safety of the lock away from the river that was fast flowing, then the crew pulled in onto the canal.