HOYLAKE and New Brighton Lifeboat crews attended a boat which got into difficulties during the River Festival Nobby Race and run aground to the West of the Eastham Channel in the Mersey on Sunday.

The one-time fishing nobby, the 37ft 'Polly', owned by local man David Green, grounded on soft mud after her mizzen halliard had parted and she had sheered off course in shallow water.

New Brighton Lifeboat had stood by on the ebb tide, but had been unable to refloat her. The more powerful Hoylake Lifeboat, 'Lady of Hilbre', launched on the following tide and crewmember David Whitely helped two tired crewmembers aboard the nobby to secure the towline so they could be pulled into the safety of Liverpool Yacht Marina.

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