May usually marks the start of the busiest time of the year for lifeboat crews.

And that has proved the case this year in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, where the crew has been called out to three yachts in the past week.

The Eric and Susan Hiscock lifeboat towed a yacht to shore on May 7, so a seriously unwell crew member could be handed over to paramedics.

Last Saturday a yacht, Eagle, ran aground while entering Newtown Creek. The lifeboat had to deploy its shallow-water inflatable to lay an anchor in deeper water so Eagle could haul herself clear when the tide rose.

Then yesterday another yacht, Sea Psalm, required the lifeboat’s help after an engine failure. The crew had difficulties in reducing sail in strong winds, but the lifeboatmen assisted and towed the yacht ashore.

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