A Norfolk lifeboat crew was called to the River Waveney to assist a cruiser with three people onboard that had become stuck.
Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Lifeboat Station's John Rowntree vessel at just after 4.30pm on Friday.
They were sent to assist a small motor cruiser that had lost power and run aground just south of Breydon Water, near Great Yarmouth.
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The volunteer crew wrapped up well and headed up the River Yare and across Breydon Water.
Daylight was fading fast but the stricken vessel was quickly located exactly where reported.
After assessing the situation and checking the welfare of the three people onboard, it was decided that the best course of action was to rig an alongside tow.
The lifeboat was manoeuvred into the very shallow water beside the vessel and lines were rigged before carefully reversing out and freeing the cruiser from the mud.
A short passage then commenced upriver to the Fisherman’s Inn where the cruiser was securely moored for the night and the occupants were safely ashore.
A spokesperson added: "Had the occupants decided to disembark into the reedbed, things could have taken a turn for the worse very quickly in the cold and dark and the deep mud.
"Calling 999 was absolutely the best course of action for them."
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