The RNLI rescued a stricken yacht off the coast of Brighton as the sun went down.

The 40ft vessel called the Salty Dog was carrying three people and facing a damaged mainsail and low fuel as it battled choppy waters at dusk near Saltdean on Saturday, June 29.

Launching their Atlantic 85 B-class lifeboat, Random Harvest, at 8:50 pm, the crew navigated to the Salty Dog's location.

Despite challenging conditions, crew member Radek Proutkovsky boarded the yacht to initiate a tow operation to provide essential reassurance to those aboard.

Tiago De Souza, one of those on the Salty Dog along with friends Adrienn and Michael, thanked the rescue team.

He said: 'The crew went above and beyond to rescue us. Their vigilance and quick action were instrumental in keeping us safe amidst challenging conditions. We owe them a debt of gratitude.'

RNLI helm Mat Humphrey praised the team's coordinated effort.

He said: 'The crew executed flawlessly to ensure the yacht's safe return. Transferring crew in choppy seas poses significant challenges, but everyone collaborated effectively, resulting in a successful outcome.'

Humphrey stressed the importance of prompt reporting in such situations.

He added: 'If you spot someone struggling at sea, dial 999 and request the Coastguard immediately.'