A LIFEBOAT crew spent eight hours rescuing 11 people on board a sailing boat stranded off the Suffolk coast.

Harwich RNLI volunteers were paged for the launch of the all weather lifeboat to assist a 23-metre long sailing vessel at 3.45pm on Monday, May 20.

The 55-ton boat was stuck due to the lack of wind about 35 miles southeast of Landguard Point and passengers needed the crew's help to reach safety.

Following the launch from Harwich at 4pm, it took an hour and a half to reach the casualty vessel, covering about 40 miles given the boat's drift rate.

A crew member was transferred to assist with establishing the tow before the lifeboat turned to make the slow journey back to Harwich.

After six long hours towing the heavy vessel, the lifeboat entered Harwich Harbour just before midnight and secured the vessel on a berth.

The lifeboat returned to station more than eight hours after launching and was refuelled and made ready for service.

Daniel Sime, Harwich RNLI’s press officer, said: "This was a lengthy call out for the station, and certainly the longest call out of the year so far.

"Great commitment from the crew as always, with some of the crew approaching the end of their working day, and then going on a service call lasting eight hours, the equivalent of a further working day.

"As a station we were very pleased to able to assist, it’s what we’re here for, and we’re glad to see the vessel and occupants safely in Harwich."