A FISHING boat crew helped to rescue three men in the waters off Penarth after their dinghy capsized.

The Benjoma II was on hand to help the stricken casualties who fell into the water off Lavernock Point.

They were being carried towards Sully by the currents but the fishing boat crew acted quickly to save them.

Both of Penarth’s lifeboats were launched shortly after 2pm, to the call in the water off Lavernock Point following capsize of the dinghy.

The station’s Atlantic Class and D Class lifeboats quickly reached the scene and upon arrival the three casualties had already been picked up by the fishing boat. After an initial assessment, the dinghy was then identified and marked, and the casualties were then transferred to the lifeboat and on to a waiting ambulance for further checks which saw them declared safe and well.

The smaller D class lifeboat was used to tow the capsized dinghy to Sully sailing club's slipway for recovery.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: "It was fortunate that the fishing boat was so close and responded to assist. We would like to thank all involved."

Safety advice issued to the casualties afterwards suggested their vessel was too small to travel through the area of water which they did.

Jason Dunlop, lifeboat operations manager at Penarth RNLI added that it was "fortunate that this incident had a good outcome, as the tidal currents in the area are very powerful.

"This call could so easily have ended in tragedy, the people were saved by the actions of a passing fishing boat.

"This call was a great multi agency operation lead by Maritime and Coastguard Agency, with RNLI Penarth, Welsh Ambulance and coastguard officers from Penarth."