In rough seas and nearly 50mph hour winds, volunteers from Gravesend's lifeboat station saved a cruiser from disaster after it drifted from its mooring during Storm Abigail.

The RNLI lifeboat was launched after London Coastguard received reports from the National Coast Watch of a a vessel drifting within sight of their lookout tower.

The boat was being slammed against the sea wall near Holehaven Creek and it was not known if anyone was on board.

When the lifeboat reached the vessel, one member of the crew managed to get on board and secure a tow line and it was towed to safety away from the sea wall.

But the weather conditions meant the crew were unable to secure the vessel to a mooring due to high seas and big swells, so they waited with the boat until a break in the weather meant it could be secured.

During the rescue, which took place at 1pm yesterday, the wind was force seven (32-38mph) and approaching gale force eight (39-46pmh).

The vessel was checked for damage and searched and it was confirmed that no one was aboard.

Volunteers for the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) provide a 24-hour search and rescue service and the Gravesend station covers an area from Holehaven, at the western end of Canvey Island, to the Thames Flood Barrier at Woolwich, a distance of 26 miles. A patch which covers Kent, Essex and South London.

The RNLI is a charity and relies on volunteers and public donations to maintain its rescue service.

For more information visit rnli.org