YARMOUTH lifeboat was sent to assist a 33ft yacht in difficulty northwest of The Needles yesterday evening (Monday, June 27).

Yarmouth's Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) was launched at 6.28pm.

The RNLI volunteer crew found the sailing boar as it struggled in westerly winds of 22-27 knots and moderate sea difficulties.

The four crew members on board the casualty vessel were concerned that they were unable to maintain secure steerage in the unfamiliar, locally challenging conditions and were being swept towards navigational hazards.

After assessing the situation, the Yarmouth lifeboat crew escorted them to the safety of Yarmouth Harbour.

Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 7.55pm.