A MOTOR cruiser with an engine fire was assisted by Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat this morning (Wednesday).

The all-weather lifeboat launched at 11.03am to a 34ft motor cruiser in difficulty with two crew onboard, just north of No Mans Land Fort.

Sea conditions were described as 'pretty benign' by the crew and it did not take the RNLB Alfred Albert Williams long to reach the casualty vessel.

The mechanic was put on board and found it was an over heating engine. The second engine was confirmed as fine, so the mechanic transferred back to the lifeboat which then escorted the boat for a short while as she headed back to her home port of Chichester.

The lifeboat was back at base by 12.01pm.