Lifeboat teams were launched after a 43ft boat lost power off the Suffolk coast. 

Aldeburgh RNLI was called into action at 4.15pm on Sunday, December 1, after the sail boat  had lost all internal power and navigational lights. 

The boat was approximately one mile off the coat from Sizewell and was travelling from Lowestoft to Harwich. 

The Aldeburgh Atlantic Lifeboat was launched at 4.30pm to go to the location. 

The RNLI lifeboat proceeding to the location (Image: RNLI Aldeburgh) The lifeboat crew had to navigate the dark to locate the boat using position information taken from a mobile phone signal 30 minutes before.

The vessel's engine was still running and was making slow progress. 

A crew member from the Aldeburgh lifeboat went onto the vessel to assess the situation and it was decided the best option was to escort the vessel to the nearest safe harbour in Southwold. 

As progress was slow the coastguard tasked Southwold Lifeboat to assist with the recovery of the vessel. 

Their crew launched at about 6.20pm and when they arrived on scene it was decided both crews would escort the boat back to Southwold harbour. 

The RNLI advises that if you are in a boat that needs urgent assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.