By James Johnson

Last updated at 12:45, Wednesday, 01 August 2012

A lifeboat crew from Cumbria was called out by an anxious mother after her two sons got into difficulties while out on a dinghy.

The brothers, 30 and 40, had put out to sea in a green rubber dinghy but soon realised they’d taken on more than they bargained for and the Silloth RNLI crew was alerted to look for them.

The pair had started their journey at Carsethorn, Dumfries and Galloway, before the wind blew them off-course and towards Cumbria.

The alarm was raised by the mother and the rescue team were mobilised.

Shortly afterwards the two men were found on the safety of dry land, but their boat was nowhere to be seen.

Silloth RNLI operations manager Eddie Studholme said: “We got a report that two men had put out to sea in a small green inflatable with paddles off the coast of Scotland.

“They were out and the sea breeze picked them up and blew them away from the coast towards Southerness.

“We did a search of the area and found the inflatable just south of Borran Point.

“They are safe and well and we went out to recover the boat.

“I believe they are in trouble with their mum!”

Four Silloth RNLI crew members were launched while six shore crew members brought the rescue team up to 10 in total.

The alarm was raised after a 999 call from the worried mum at 11.48am and at 11.52am the lifeboat crew launched.

A Coastguard spokesman said: “We got a report that the men had set off from shore but had no means of propulsion.

“I don’t know but I think they might have been paddling with their hands.

“They were last seen heading off into the wilderness.”

First published at 11:29, Wednesday, 01 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk