A lifeboat was launched from an east Suffolk harbour this evening to retrieve a boat which had broken down at sea.

RNLI and coastguard teams from Lowestoft were sent to help a sailing yacht which got into trouble just outside the harbour.

They were paged by the Humber Coastguard Operations Centre and the RNLI at around 8.05pm today.

The crews were alerted to a sailing yacht which had recently left the harbour from the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.

The vessel was called “Resolution” – she had suffered engine failure and had to be towed back to shore.

They arrived to find the person on board was safe and well, and once the yacht was back in the harbour both teams were stood down.

A HM Coastguard spokesman said: “Whilst out on a local knowledge patrol of access points on the broads, Lowestoft Mobile was tasked by Humber Coastguard Operations Centre to meet with the RNLI Lowestoft Lifeboat in the harbour.

“The team met with the lifeboat and the sailing yacht “Resolution” that had recently left the harbour, however suffered engine failure and had to be towed back.

“All was well with the occupant and we were stood down to return back to our patrol.”