Two people were rescued when their yacht broke down in thick fog.

It brings the number saved by the Dover Lifeboat and other rescuers to 38 in seven days.

Dover RNLI says that the yacht was dangerously close to the Eastern Docks and could have ended up in the path of a ferry or other vessels coming in and out.

The engine of the Dutch vessel had broken down 2.5 miles east of Dover.

The Dover lifeboat City of London II was tasked to help at about 6.50pm last Sunday .

She quickly reached the yacht, got it under tow and took it into Dover Harbour.

Both the lifeboat and yacht were berthed at Dover Marina by about 10.30pm.

Second coxswain Jon Meill , commander in this callout, said: “The yacht was well maintained, the engine failure is believed to be from fuel contamination.

“This can happen to the best maintained yacht so always be aware of emergency procedures.”

This was the third call out in one week for Dover Lifeboat Station with a total 38 people being rescued.

The most spectacular case had been the saving of 36 people trapped by the rising tide at Langdon Bay on Monday last week .

They had been visitors from a London Jewish community centre, Ahvas Yisrael.

That rescue had also involved help from Walmer RNLI and the Coastguards.