Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat

The Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat moves up to the barge. Picture: RNLI Shoreham

Empty barge

The brand new empty barge, which measures 40m across, was being pulled by Polish tug Ajaks from Dungeness to St Nazaire when the tow rope broke. Picture:RNLI Shoreham

Straying into shipping lanes

Two lifeboatmen had to be airlifted to safety after trying to stop the 105m barge straying into busy shipping lanes. Picture: RNLI Shoreham

Anchored

The barge eventually anchored itself about a mile off the coast of Seaford. Picture: Connors

Coast Guard

Coast guards watch as the barge heads towards the cliffs at Seaford Head. Picture: Connors

The two lifeboat men

Second Mechanic Simon Tugwell and Deputy Coxswain Steve Smith had to be airlifted from the sea after boarding the barge in an attempt to stop it.