RYDE Inshore Rescue rescued a sailing boat with engine failure after it drifted close to Ryde Pier this morning (Friday).
Ryde Inshore Rescue spokeswoman Michaela White said Ryde Rescue 1 was called at 7am and reached the vessel, which was metres away from the pier, shortly afterwards.
The stricken boat ran aground on Ryde Sands last night (Thursday), but refloated on the incoming tide.
However, once refloated, the engine would not start and the crew had problems with the sails.
The crew tried to anchor, but the boat would not hold in the strong winds and the vessel drifted towards the pier.
The independent lifeboat launched in heavy swell and was able to pull the drifting boat out of danger before towing to it back to Portsmouth.
It was the lifeboat’s second call-out this week, having helped a vessel off Ryde Harbour on Sunday (21) after it was blown towards rocks at the entrance.