This dramatic picture shows the moment eight people escaped after a fire broke out on a yacht.

The Polish men on board the Ratner R had earlier called Brighton lifeboat after the 54ft yacht became stuck in mud as they tried to sail it into Brighton Marina at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

As reported in The Argus yesterday, Shoreham lifeboat was also called out after the Brighton crew struggled to turn the boat round.

Dave Cassan, spokesman for Shoreham lifeboat, said the crew on the 18-tonne yacht ran into problems because they were using shipping charts which were more than 25 years old.

He said: "The wind was creating waves more than two metres high which were breaking over the boat.

"The vessel lost its rudder between the arms of Brighton Marina and ended up side on to the sea. Brighton lifeboat could not get the boat round so the bow was facing the sea, meaning less damage would be caused to the yacht. We managed to tow the boat away safely."

The yacht was moored at Shoreham Harbour at 7.30pm but at 2.38am yesterday the engine room caught fire and the men evacuated themselves from the boat. Four fire engines from Hove and Shoreham attended and the fire was out within an hour. No other boats were damaged and no one was injured.