PORTLAND Coastguard oversaw the rescue of two stricken vessels back to harbour.

At 10.43am Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Weymouth, received a call from the fishing vessel Alley Cat, with four people on board, which had suffered engine failure east of Portland.

Coastguards sent out a broadcast asking ships close to the site to assist and the vessel Phoenix responded.

They towed the Alley Cat into Weymouth Harbour and she was then taken on to her berth by the angling vessel Kelsey Jane.

At 4.43pm Portland coastguards sent Swanage all weather lifeboat to help the 23 ft cabin cruiser Annie Nesta, with four people on board, that had suffered engine failure off Peveril Point, Swanage.

The lifeboat towed the stricken vessel to Swanage. However, later on, due to the wind forecast, she was towed towards Poole by the Poole lifeboat.