Margate lifeboat was involved in a 10-hour rescue operation after a yacht ran aground on a sandbank off the north Kent coast.

An alarm was raised around 5.30pm on Saturday after two people aboard a 26ft yacht reported through marine radio that it had run aground on the Margate Sands around four miles north of the town’s lifeboat station.

The call, which was picked up by UK Coastguard who alerted Margate RNLI, requested lifeboat assistance.

Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were tasked to assist.

After it was established the yacht had run aground on the north side of the sands and the boat was exposed to a north westerly wind, the inshore lifeboat was recalled.

With the tide ebbing and the yacht aground, the lifeboat was unable to approach close enough in the shallow water but as the situation was considered stable with both occupants of the yacht relatively safe, the lifeboat remained in the area to await the next flood tide.

The lifeboat used the time in between flood tides to judge the soundings from both sides of the sands and determine the best route to deep water once the yacht could be refloated and towed clear.

On the flood tide several hours later, the lifeboat was able to position itself close enough for a tow line to be passed to the yacht.

Once the yacht started to float, the lifeboat towed it into deep water to assess the situation.

The decision was made to tow it to the safety of Ramsgate Harbour.

The harbour was reached around two hours later and after securing the yacht, returned to the station ten hours after being called.