A yacht that was damaged after running aground on a sandbank sparked a lifeboat call.

Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat came to the aid of the stranded 41ft yacht that had three people on board and was being blown towards the beach.

The volunteer crew of Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat were called out at 6.16pm on Saturday, August 17 to assist the 41ft yacht that was reportedly aground on Newcome Sands and visible from the South Beach. 

Second Coxswain Karl Jackson said: "We launched our relief lifeboat Eric's Legend and found that, with the tide flooding, the yacht with three people on board had refloated.

"However the vessel's gearbox had been damaged and the wind was blowing the stranded vessel towards the beach.

Lowestoft RNLI's relief lifeboat Eric's Legend towing the stranded yacht. Picture: RNLILowestoft RNLI's relief lifeboat Eric's Legend towing the stranded yacht. Picture: RNLI (Image: RNLI)

"After assessing the situation we decided the safest way to assist the sailors was to tow the yacht into the harbour - which was satisfactorily completed."