Hastings RNLI lifeboat and its volunteer crew launched on Saturday evening to sinking yacht off the town.

The lifeboat sped to the casualty, which was on
passage from Dover to Brighton, with eight people on board.

Water had
been discovered flooding into the boat, but its source could not be
found and therefore the crew were unable to stop the leak.

The
lifeboat put two crew members aboard the yacht with a salvage pump. The rescuers began to pump the water out of the stricken vessel.

With the flow of
water controlled the yacht was taken under tow by the lifeboat and taken
safely to Eastbourne Harbour.

Hastings RNLI coxswain, Steve Warne said: ‘This was a genuine
emergency, with a boat full of passengers which was taking on water and
essentially sinking. However, the lifeboat was able to quickly get on
scene, control the situation, and get the casualty safely to harbour.’

Picture: Hastings Lifeboat crew fixing a towing line. Credit: RNLI/Clive Mayhew