A large cargo vessel issued a distress call after an engine fire broke out.
Rescue services rushed to the scene after the Finnlines cargo ship, about 12 miles off the coast of Eastbourne, reported the fire.
The incident took place in the early hours of November 12, with the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat crew responding promptly.
The RNLI Eastbourne said: "At 5.21am on November 12, our all-weather lifeboat Esme Anderson launched to assist a 33,000-ton 'roll-on/roll-off' cargo vessel, 11 miles south-east of Eastbourne, after the ship issued a distress call reporting an engine fire.
"Our crew made best speed in moderate seas and force five winds.
"En route, it was confirmed the vessel’s crew had successfully extinguished the fire but had lost engine power."
Upon arriving at the stricken vessel, RNLI Eastbourne volunteers confirmed that no one required evacuation.
The RNLI team was requested to stand by the drifting 217-metre vessel while the crew worked to deploy their anchor.
"The lifeboat stood by for over an hour in challenging sea conditions until the anchor was deployed and holding", the RNLI spokesperson continued.
"Once the vessel was safely anchored, Solent Coastguard released the lifeboat, and our crew returned to station."
A 'roll-on/roll-off' cargo vessel is a type of ship that transports wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks, and trailers, by driving them on and off the ship using built-in ramps.
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A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "At 5.14am, HM Coastguard was made aware of a pan-pan distress signal from a vessel reporting a fire on board 12 nautical miles off Eastbourne.
"RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat was sent and stood off from the anchored vessel to provide support while the fire was extinguished.
"The lifeboat was later stood down and the vessel was able to recommence safe passage to its destination."
A spokesperson for Finnlines said: "A small fire occurred in the engine room of M/s Finnwave while the vessel was en route from Zeebrugge to Rosslare (Dover Strait).
"The fire was quickly extinguished, and the vessel anchored safely outside the traffic separation scheme to assess the damages.
"Once confirmed that the vessel was able to safely proceed by own means, M/s Finnwave heaved the anchor and proceeded to Zeebrugge for repairs."
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