A CRIPPLED motorboat crewed by five Lithuanian men was helped by Cowes RNLI on Friday evening.

The crew experienced at first hand the charitable activities of the RNLI when the 29ft craft lost engine power in the Solent, off Gurnard Luck.

When the lifeboat arrived on the scene, the crew implemented an alongside tow, to take the motorboat to Trinity Landing.

There the crew were met by onshore coastguards.

Having launched at 5pm, the lifeboat returned to station at 6.15pm.

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