The experienced 50-year-old yachtsman, from Lübeck, had left Sovereign Harbour for the Solent on Thursday when a tow rope became trapped somewhere on the vessel.

Within minutes, the 34 ft boat had run aground between Eastbourne Pier and the Pavilion Tea Rooms at shortly after 12.30pm.

Dover Coastguard asked for both the Eastbourne all-weather and inshore lifeboats to launch to assist with the recovery operation of the Johanna Marie.

Mark Sawyer, coxswain of the Eastbourne RNLI all-weather lifeboat, The Royal Thames, said, "When we got there the man was shocked by what had happened.

"He had been thrown from the yacht when it ran aground and he was soaking wet. He had also dislocated his thumb.

"It was very lucky that the boat ran aground where it did. Had it been metres to the east or west he could have collided with the groynes on the beach, which could have seriously damaged the boat."

Onlookers watched on in amazement as the vessel lay stricken on the beach, a short distance from the York House Hotel.

Mr Sawyer brother's partner, who speaks German, was asked to attend the scene to translate between the rescue services and the sailor.

Three lifeboat volunteers went aboard the wooden yacht and attached a tow rope around its mast.

The all-weather lifeboat then carefully eased the 12 tonne boat away from the shore and towed it to Sovereign Harbour.