A RESCUE operation was launched after two men were heard crying for help on a yacht in the Solent.
A member of the public onshore at Calshot beach told coastguards that the men were aboard a small red vessel which appeared to be either aground of anchored.
The Cowes lifeboat set off to rescue the men and arrived at 7.35pm on Wednesday to find the yacht illuminated by a spotlight.
An RNLI statement said: "The yacht crew were clearly inexperienced, the boat was in a poor condition, had no navigation lights, no safety equipment, and a line - which could be fishing gear - was wrapped around the propeller.
"With the knowledge that a cruise ship from Southampton could soon be passing nearby, the lifeboat crew decided lose no time in towing the boat to Trinity Landing, Cowes, where the two men were interviewed by Newport Coastguard.
"The lifeboat returned to station at 8.50 pm."
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