Lifeboat crews rescued a 23-foot yacht blown onto rocks in high winds off the Kent coast.

Sheerness RNLI was scrambled after a duo onboard the stricken vessel signaled for help, having been blown off course near Garrison Point Fort, on the Isle of Sheppey.

They had set sail from Lower Halstow on the Swale yesterday morning in strong winds and were returning when they got into trouble at about 5pm.

“The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 5.15pm followed closely by the all-weather lifeboat ‘Judith Copping Joyce’,” a spokesman for the lifeboat station said.

“We received a call from the UK Coastguard to assist a 23-foot yacht, with two people onboard, in difficulties and reported to be on the rocks at Garrison Point.

“Making best speed in poor conditions, Buster was first on the scene and located the casualty at 5.25pm.

“A towline was secured and the vessel was in tow and away from the rocks five minutes later.”

The crew was soon joined by the all-weather lifeboat ‘Judith Copping Joyce’, however, with Buster managing the tow it stood off, before escorting both into Lower Camber in Sheerness docks.

The casualty craft was made secure at 6.05pm and, after the duo on the yacht reported they were ok, were taken ashore.

Both lifeboats were ready for service again by 6.30pm, the RLNI said.

The rescue was made in unusually high winds, which reached force eight on the Beaufort scale, due to an Atlantic low-pressure weather front.

Earlier that day, the charity paid homage to “true friend” and “father figure” Stuart Adams who led Dungeness’ RNLI team as Coxswain for 23 years.

The 62-year-old, who lived and breathed life on the water, died last Saturday following a brief illness, the charity said.