Dungeness’ lifeboat crew were called out to a suspected engine fire on a cabin cruiser.

There was found out to be no fire but the 12-metre vessel’s engine had broken down and had to be towed to safety.

The RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat The Morrell was called out at 10.45am yesterday to the cruiser three miles south-best of Dungeness Point.

Coxswain Stuart Adams said: “The crew were well prepared for their passage but unfortunately an electrical problem developed and their engine would not start.”

The cruiser, with three people on board, was towed by the lifeboat to Dover Harbour.

It had been sailing from Southampton to Ramsgate.