BOTH Swanage lifeboats launched earlier this morning to assist a yacht that was sinking off Old Harry Rocks.

The pump on the eight-metre yacht, which had two people on board, was unable to cope with the amount of water being taken onto the vessel.

An RNLI spokesman said: "The lifeboats launched and headed to the scene at full speed. The inshore lifeboat was the first to arrive, they put a crewmember aboard to assess the situation and reassure the yacht’s crew."

The all-weather lifeboat arrived shortly afterwards and transferred across two more volunteer crew and the lifeboat's powerful salvage pump.

"The pump was rigged and it soon began to reduce the water level inside the boat. The yacht was then taken in tow and the yacht’s crew were put aboard the lifeboat.

"Slow progress was then made towards Poole Harbour and the inshore lifeboat was released to return station."

The lifeboats were launched at 7.22am, and the yacht was recovered at 9.25am.