RAMSGATE lifeboat was launched into winds of up to 60kts early yesterday after a yacht's engine had failed two miles out in the Channel.

The storms battering Kent brought rough seas with them when the boat was called out to the 55-ft Icenic at around 2am.

A combination of the extremely poor weather conditions, heavy swell and the broken engine meant the yacht was making no headway and was in serious danger of either being swamped or blown into an obstruction.

With both boats rolling violently, a towline was eventually passed to the Icenic, which had four adults on board, and the vessel towed back to Ramsgate.

With the strong winds, berthing the yacht in the harbour was difficult but she was eventually tied up on the Western Marina Breakwater.