TWO people have been rescued from Walney Channel this afternoon.

Furness Coastguard and Barrow RNLI were involved in a rescue of two people from the water who had been onboard a sinking boat.

The vessel had been struck by an unknown object under the water and started to rapidly take on water and within seconds had started to sink.

The occupants managed to call the Coastguard on 999. Fortunately a passing Windfarm vessel picked up the alert and assisted where they could.

Barrow RNLI launched their lifeboat, and due to the location and the two occupants in the water, they were quickly on scene. The lifeboat brought the people back to Barrow Lifeboat Station to be assessed by members of both Furness Coastguard and Barrow RNLI for any signs of hypothermia or secondary drowning.

Furness Coastguard said: "Both casualties were happy with their health and grateful for the rescue and with the help of Barrow RNLI, who towed their vessel to the nearby slipway, they will hopefully recover their vessel later on today when the tide drops."

The emergency services urge the use of lifejackets , having as many means of raising an alarm as possible (VHF, flares, mobile phone, EPIRB, PLB), and to tell someone onshore of the route planned and an estimated time of arrival.

If in any danger around the coast dial 999 or VHF channel 16, and ask for the coastguard.