A 36ft yacht sparked an emergency response when it became stranded in East Sussex.

The Hastings RNLI lifeboat with its volunteer crew was called
out by the Coastguard last Thursday, following reports that the yacht had
run aground at Bulverhythe.

The casualty had been stranded by the tide,
but fortunately had a twin bilge keel which meant it was happily able to
sit on the sand until the tide came in.

The inshore lifeboat helped by
transferring the yacht’s anchor out to seaward so that when the tide
returned the casualty would be able to pull itself clear using its own
windlass.

The Hastings mobile Coastguard unit arrived on scene
to keep watch of the vessel until it was able to safely refloat, which
enabled the inshore lifeboat to return to station.

Steve Warne,
Hastings RNLI Coxswain said: ‘This was a slightly unusual and
interesting job for us, and one in which the RNLI crew made a real
contribution towards ensuring a safe outcome.’

Picture: Yacht stranded at Bullverhythe off Hastings. Credit: RNLI/Clive Mayhew