The RNLI lifeboat at Aldeburgh was launched yesterday after receiving reports of a sinking boat in the waters south east of the coastal town.

At around 2.45pm yesterday, Wednesday, July 27, the station received a request from UK Coastguard to put the station’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB) ‘Freddie Cooper’ to sea following reports that the crew of an 11 metre boat were in distress eight miles from the coast.

A spokesman for the RLNI said the crew helped the boat to the mouth of the river Deben.

He said: “There were two persons on board. “Once on scene, the crew of the ‘Freddie Cooper’ assessed the casualty and, after discission wit the casualty crew, escorted them to the mouth of the river Deben.

“Once it was established that they were safe to continue, the ALB returned to the station.”

The crew of the Freddie Cooper got back safely to base in Aldeburgh at around 6.15pm.