The crew of seven in the lifeboat braved raging seas and harsh winds after setting off at 12.45pm yesterday.

However, the £50,000 potter, The Matthew Harvey, made it back to harbour under its own steam, but not without difficulty.

The 38ft boat, with a crew of four, almost capsized as it was escorted back to shore, drawing loud gasps from the crowd of onlookers.

One witness said: "I thought it was going to go over. They shouldn't be going out in this sort of weather anyway. I couldn't believe it. They're obviously not used to Scarborough."

But Scarborough Lifeboat operations manager Fred Normandale praised the coble's 20-year-old skipper, James Major, for his handling of the boat.
Mr Normandale said: "He listened to the instructions that were given and did everything right.

"He told the watchman he was planning to bring the boat back in the night, but was told it would be better to return in the daytime.
"It was our call to send the lifeboat out, they didn't ask for it. That is what the lifeboat is there for."

Mr Major, of Grimsby, a crabber, who had set off at 2am on Wednesday, said: "It was a bit hair-raising but we managed to bring it in.
"We've been to thank all the members of the lifeboat crew who were there for us, even though we didn't need them in the end."

The incident comes just weeks after three people were killed when a 22ft boat overturned in horrendous conditions 100 yards from the entrance to Whitby Harbour.