The RNLI Brighton lifeboat crew helped rescue a broken down yacht during a lightning storm late last night (Saturday 26 May).
The volunteer crew were sent to sea to search for the yacht which was reported to have suffered engine failure while heading to Brighton.
It’s position was reported to be three nautical miles south of Brighton.
The crew set out at about 9.30pm but were unable to find the boat so 90 minutes later the coastguard called out the Shoreham lifeboat to join the search.
They found the boat grounded at Shoreham Beach with the tide receding.
The Brighton lifeboat crew, in the smaller of the two RNLI boats, attached a line to the stranded yacht.
And the Shoreham lifeboat towed the vessel to the Sussex Yacht Club in Shoreham.
Last night’s launch was the 24th shout this year for the RNLI Brighton lifeboat crew, based at Brighton Marina.
With the electrical storm raging, Roger Cohen, Brighton lifeboat operations manager, said: “It was quite a spectacular night.”
With big crowds expected over the bank holiday weekend, he urged people heading to the beach or out to sea to take care.
He urged swimmers to stay between the flags where the seafront lifeguards patrol.
In Brighton and Hove the lifeguards start their seafront summer season this weekend.
