Volunteer crews from Workington and St Bees RNLI and the Coastguard rescued six people from their boats off the the coast of Whitehaven.
A mayday call went out from a yacht, which had four adults and two children aboard, which had experienced engine failure while on its way to Kirkcudbright.
Two adults had got into a rigid inflatable boat to tow the yacht ashore, but the vessels were forced to drop their anchors about three miles off the coast of Whitehaven and issue the mayday.
Belfast Coastguard paged the Coastguard and the RNLI and a Mareel Sepia boat, which services the Robin Rigg wind farm, was nearby and made its way to the location.
It was stood down while the RNLI crews were on their way after being called out at about 6.40pm.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team and Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team took up vantage points to get visuals on the vessels.
Both RNLI boats put a member of their crew on the boat to assess casualties.
One casualty was given minor first aid.
Workington RNLI towed one vessel and St Bees escorted the other vessel into Whitehaven harbour.
