The Lowestoft RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were called out for the second time in 24 hours when another small fishing boat experienced engine failure yesterday morning.

The all-weather lifeboat the Spirit of Lowestoft had previously launched early on Saturday evening to assist a vessel Silver Fox, whose two-man crew were having difficulty restarting their engine. Their vessel was escorted back to the safety of the harbour by the lifeboat.

Then yesterday morning at 9.55am the crew were paged again to help another fishing boat Our Caroline that had lost all electrical power.

Coxswain John Fox said: 'We soon reached the 35 foot fishing boat which was three and a half miles due east off Lowestoft. The solo crewman had been long line fishing and we soon managed to attach a tow line to the stranded vessel and brought her back into port.'

The disabled fishing boat was taken through the bascule bridge by the lifeboat to its mooring at the far end of Lake Lothing and was safely alongside by midday.