Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat was launched this morning (Tuesday, March 18) to aid a seven-metre cruiser that suffered engine failure just a couple of metres south of the pier.
The cruiser had set out from Eastbourne earlier in the day alongside another vessel with the intention of visiting Newhaven to undergo engine maintenance.
Unfortunately, before it could reach its destination, the cruiser suffered catastrophic mechanical failure.
The occupants of the second vessel took their companions under tow and alerted Dover Coastguard, who in turn requested the launch of the lifeboat.
The tow was taken over by the lifeboat and the second vessel continued its passage to Newhaven while the ALB returned the stricken cruiser to the safety of the locks at Sovereign Harbour.