IAN CLARKE A 36ft motor vessel had to be towed back to Wells Harbour after it started to take on water.The Lowestoft-based Viking damaged stern gear on Monday night while about 10 miles NE of Wells and issued a mayday call.

IAN CLARKE

A 36ft sports diving craft had to be towed back to Wells Harbour after it started to take on water.

The Lowestoft-based Viking damaged stern gear on a crab pot marker rope on Monday night while about 10 miles NE of Wells and issued a mayday call at about 7.30pm.

The two middle aged men from the Thetford area on board - who also had a dog with them - managed to stem the leak and pump out water.

The Wells all weather lifeboat the Doris M Mann of Ampthill was launched at about 8pm and had towed the Viking back to Wells Harbour by 10.30pm.

A cargo vessel, Wisdom, on route to Holland, had diverted to standby but was stood down once the lifeboat arrived.