THREE people in difficulties aboard a 37-foot yacht were assisted by a crew from the Whitstable Lifeboat on Monday evening.

The lifeboat was launched shortly after 7.30pm and when it reached the scene, off Herne Bay, one member of the crew went into the water to clear a rope tangled up in the propeller.

This was achieved after around 10 minutes and the yacht was then able to continue under its own power.