Two lifeboat crews responded to a Mayday call after a fishing vessel crashed into a cargo ship off the coast of Tynemouth.
Blyth RNLI launched its Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat at 5.40pm on Wednesday following a desperate call from the skipper of the fishing boat.
They were joined by colleagues from Cullercoats RNLI who were already in the area on a training exercise.
Salvage pumps were used to try and pump out the water that the fishing vessel was taking on board but attempts from the volunteer crews proved unsuccessful.
The crew from the stricken vessel were transferred to the Cullercoats lifeboat as both crews could only watch the fishing boat sink due to the damage sustained in the collision with the cargo ship anchored north of the Tyne piers.
Both lifeboats were able to leave the scene after clearing debris from the area and Blyth RNLI returned to station at 7.42pm.
None of the crew required medical assistance as a result of the incident.
Blyth RNLI Helm Graham Short said: "We arrived on scene to assist Cullercoats RNLI to pump the water from the fishing vessel.
"Unfortunately the damage suffered meant there was too much water for our salvage pumps to cope with.
"We are glad that no-one was injured and that the person onboard was transferred safely onto Cullercoats RNLI inshore lifeboat."
