FIVE people had to be rescued by the coastguard after their boat hit an underwater obstruction.

RNLI Eastbourne were called into action at 6pm on Saturday, April 30, after reports of a boat in trouble.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch the inshore lifeboat and tasked to assist a nine-metre sports power boat.

“The casualty vessel with five persons on board had hit an underwater obstruction causing the engine to fail,” a RNLI Eastbourne spokesman said.

“Once on scene, volunteer lifeboat helmsman Dean Parker, along with his crew, attached a tow line and towed the casualty vessel back into the safety of Sovereign Harbour.”

Last week, two people aboard a boat had to be rescued by the coastguard near the marina.

Brighton RNLI were called into action after reports of a vessel that had suffered a flat battery.

The two people on board the boat had phoned the coastguard for help and a lifeboat was deployed.

The crew found the vessel 1.5 miles south of Brighton Marina and it was successfully towed back to safety.

A Brighton RNLI spokesman provided some useful advice for those heading out to sea in a boat.

“Ensure your craft is mechanically sound, check that emergency equipment such as lifejackets, flares, VHF radio, PLBs etc are in working order, check the weather conditions and make sure you always have a means of calling for help.”