A YACHT had to rescued twice in two days after it was beset by propeller problems, engine failure and snow storms.

The 21ft Humbug first got a rope caught up in its propeller and following a mobile phone distress call from the middle of the Solent had to be towed into a marina near Gosport for repairs on Saturday.

Yesterday the vessel resumed its journey to Southampton from Brighton but again had to be rescued when its main and auxiliary engines failed in a snow blizzard Chris Rudd, of the Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, an independent lifeboat station, said: "I think they just had a bit of bad luck.

"They were pleased to see us again. It was still snowing and the visibility wasn't much more than 50 metres. They weren't the only ones out there."

Senior coxswain Mr Rudd said the yacht, crewed by two men in their 30s who were unhurt, had no radio - a recommended safety precaution.

Meanwhile the Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat was called out yesterday afternoon to a 17ft fishing boat called Trei bien in distress east of Culver Cliff with two adults and two children on board. The vessel had complete engine failure and was towed to Bembridge.