WATCH: Fishermen rescued after trawler turns on its side in Dartmouth Harbour

Five French fishermen had to be rescued in Dartmouth Harbour after their trawlers began listing heavily (tilting to one side) on a falling tide.

Three French trawlers had been looking for shelter in the harbour during rough seas.

Two of them were tied up but listing severely, with reports of a fire and both crews needing evacuation. The crews were rescued using ladders and ropes by lifeboat and fire engines from Dartmouth.

The skipper, Andre Stephane, described what happened as the high spring tides drained away.

When one of the trawlers wouldn't re-right itself the lifeboat crew discovered severe internal flooding, but no fire.

It was a difficult rescue in high winds and bitter cold as members from RNLI explain.

See the rescue here:

There were fire crews from Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Totnes, and coastguard volunteer rescue teams involved all through the early hours.