Four people were rescued by a lifeboat crew after a yacht became entangled and stuck out at sea.

In an operation lasting a few hours, Swanage’s all-weather lifeboat was launched when a yacht became entangled in a marker buoy 22nm off shore.

The yacht, with four people on board, was stuck and needed help.

The lifeboat arrived about 45 minutes later and managed to cut the yacht free, but with the rope still entangled a tow was needed.

A long steady tow back to Swanage was started just after 2pm.

Three hours later the yacht was secured to the lifeboat mooring in Swanage Bay and at 5.20pm the lifeboat was re-housed and re-fuelled ready for further service.