A motor cruiser had to be towed to safety after breaking down in thick fog near to Portland Bill.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon.

Weymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched at 5.45pm to assist a 63’ converted MFV motor cruiser which had broken down at sea.

The team had been alerted to the incident by Solent Coastguard, who received a Pan Pan radio call from the vessel which said it had broken down and was drifting in thick fog close to Portland Bill.

A spokesman for Weymouth Lifeboat said: “With the fog giving visibility of only a hundred metres the lifeboat had to proceed at a slower speed than usual and arrived on scene at approximately 6.30pm.

“A tow line was attached and the vessel was towed slowly to Portland Marina arriving at 8.30pm.

“With the motor cruiser safely berthed at the marina the lifeboat returned to Weymouth Harbour at 9.00pm where she was refuelled and made ready for the next shout.”