Dover Lifeboat rescued 11 crew members after a sailing boat suffered engine failure near Dover harbour.

The Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI lifeboat at 2.40pm yesterday, to assist a 17 metre Polish sailing vessel with 11 crew.

The Polish crewed Ketch, named Camelot, is suspected to have failed due to fuel contamination.

Windy weather and a strong tide meant that Camelot needed assistance in order to reach Dover Harbour safely.

James Clapham, RNLI coxswain for Dover RNLI Lifeboat the City of London II, said: “We have just entered the core summer sailing season, this means it’s not unusual for the RNLI to receive an increased number of call-outs to sailing vessels suffering engine failure.”

Dover’s all-weather Severn Class lifeboat located the vessel approximately three miles west of the harbour.

The lifeboat crew of six quickly got the boat under tow and into the shelter of Dover Marina by 3.55pm.

RNLI Dover press officer Ed Baker said: “Dover Coastguard plays a vital part in communicating with and monitoring all vessels travelling in the Dover Strait, this means they can get the right resources out to vessels in difficulty very quickly. Thanks to all our volunteer crew and coxswain James Clapham for responding to the Polish sailing vessel.”