POOLE RNLI rescued a 38ft Sunseeker race boat off Bournemouth Pier after it was adrift for over three hours. 

Launched at 8pm on June 16, Poole RNLI were called out to save a 38ft Sunseeker race boat with five people on-board after it had been adrift off Bournemouth Pier for over three hours. 

Once at the scene the crew checked everyone was ok and attached a towline to the boat to bring it into Poole Quay Boat Haven before it returned to the station. 

A spokesperson for Poole RNLI said: "Poole Lifeboat was requested to launch at just before 8pm, Sunday June 16, to a report of a 38ft Sunseeker race boat with five people on-board, it had been adrift for some 3 hours off Bournemouth Pier.

"Conditions in Poole Bay were clear with a westerly wind F4.

"The lifeboat launched just as England football team kicked off their first UEFA European Football tournament game, always the way.

"The lifeboat arrived on scene, checked everyone was okay and attached a towline and brought the stricken vessel safely back to Poole Quay Boat Haven, when all as was safe and sound, the lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service by 10.45pm.

"And England had secured the win!"