A yacht that had lost all engine power was successfully assisted by a lifeboat crew.

Eastern Daily Press: Yacht with engine failure is successfully towed into Lowestoft by Lowestoft's RNLI lifeboat. Picture: MICK HOWESYacht with engine failure is successfully towed into Lowestoft by Lowestoft's RNLI lifeboat. Picture: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Lowestoft's RNLI lifeboat, Patsy Knight, was called out at 2.15pm today (Thursday) to assist a yacht that had lost all engine power.

The 27ft yacht had set sail from Southwold harbour when the engine failed.

Eastern Daily Press: Yacht with engine failure is successfully towed into Lowestoft by Lowestoft's RNLI lifeboat. Picture: MICK HOWESYacht with engine failure is successfully towed into Lowestoft by Lowestoft's RNLI lifeboat. Picture: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

The solo crewman on board was able to continue sailing towards Lowestoft, running with the tide, but realised that he would need assistance to enter Lowestoft harbour.

Lowestoft lifeboat coxswain John Fox said: 'We met the yacht named Petronella just off Kessingland and connected a towline to the vessel.

'It was then a straightforward tow along the Stamford Channel before we shortened the line to bring the yacht safely into port, finally mooring the vessel at 4pm.'

After a quiet couple of months, this was the third callout for Lowestoft lifeboat in the past week.