BREAKING: Skipper charged after five men rescued from stricken boat

The skipper of a boat that ran aground in Fleetwood this morning has been charged.
The boat could be refloated at high tide (Pic: Fleetwood Beach Kiosk)The boat could be refloated at high tide (Pic: Fleetwood Beach Kiosk)
The boat could be refloated at high tide (Pic: Fleetwood Beach Kiosk)

Michael Maceachern, 45, from York, is expected to appear before magistrates in Blackpool this afternoon, charged with ‘being a master, pilot, or seaman on duty while over the prescribed limit of alcohol’, police said.

RNLI volunteers rescued the fishing vessel’s crew from a sandbank close to Fleetwood Docks – known locally as Tiger’s Tail – at around 2.20am.

Tony Cowell, from the RNLI, said the 60-ton boat could be refloated at high tide later.