LIZARD lifeboat went to the assistance of a 10-metre French yacht south of Lizard Point yesterday evening.

With two people on board, the yacht had suffered a broken rudder and was unable to sail. She was positioned 1.5 nautical miles off the coast.

The lifeboat launched just after 5.30pm and on arrival at the scene, coxswain Ross Craig transferred two of his crew on to the yacht and a tow rope was attached.

As there was no rudder on the yacht and because of the position it was in, the slow tow to Newlyn (as opposed to Falmouth) began.

Coxswain Craig described the sea conditions as 1.5 metre waves with a Force 5 wind from the west off Lizard Point.

Conditions nearing Newlyn Harbour were calmer. The lifeboat arrived back at the station just after 11pm.

Last night's launch on service heralded the first shout for trainee lifeboat crew members Dylan Atkinson and Harry Bray.

They are following in their father's footsteps - Dylan's dad Dan is the station mechanic and second coxswain, while Harry's dad Johnny is the second mechanic.