BEMBRIDGE RNLI was called to assist a yacht in difficulty yesterday afternoon (Monday).

At 3.20pm, the team launched to assist a 36ft yacht carrying three people onboard, which had lost its steering in Hayling Bay

The Hayling Island RNLI team had already been launched and was standing by the anchored yacht on arrival.

But sea conditions were such that Bembridge RNLI's Alfred Albert Williams was judged to be the safest option to tow the yacht into the smoother waters of Chichester Harbour.

While it did not take the team long to get to the yacht, it took a bit of time to successfully connect the tow due to the rough sea conditions.

Once clear of the sand banks to the west of the harbour entrance and in calmer conditions, the Island team handed the tow over to Hayling Island's Atlantic 85 and returned to Bembridge.