TWO men were rescued as their fishing boat sank in Ramsgate harbour.

The locally-based fishing trawler Phoenix radioed Ramsgate harbour control that the Chananne R13 was taking in water and sinking as it approached the Old Marina just before 7.30am on Wednesday. It was returning from an overnight fishing trip.

The Ramsgate lifeboat crew was scrambled at 7.31am and was on the scene seven minutes later. As The Chananne R13 rounded the Northern Breakwater it was listing heavily to starboard and water was slopping over its gunwales.

The all-weather boat came alongside and plucked the crew to safety as she began to flounder, and she sank as they watched. The men were landed ashore at the boathouse by 7.43am.

The stricken vessel was visible near the marina at low tide but completely submerged at other times. It has not blocked the harbour entrance so boats can still come and go.