A lifeboat crew was launched to aid two people aboard a stranded cabin cruiser off the coast of Lowestoft, near Corton.

At just before 11am on Sunday, January 14 the coastguard was alerted to the 17ft long vessel, which had broken down just off the coast near Corton village.

The volunteer crew from Lowestoft RNLI, who were at sea on their relief lifeboat 'Reg' on a training exercise at the time, were diverted to the scene.

Lowestoft Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said: 'We were well south of Lowestoft when we received the call and used the maximum speed of the Shannon-class lifeboat to make all haste to the stricken vessel.

'The small cruiser had suffered engine failure and was about a half mile offshore with two people on board.

'The sea state was quite 'bumpy' so I decided to take the two men off the vessel and bring them onto the lifeboat and put two of the lifeboat crew onto the cruiser instead.'

A tow line was connected and the vessel was brought safely back to Lowestoft where it was met by Lowestoft and Southwold Coastguard Rescue team members.