The boat was reported to have drifted from its anchor outside Brighton Marina yesterday (May 22).
The alarm was raised with HM Coastguard at 7.15am, and the Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Brighton were sent.
The respective teams then confirmed there was no one on board.
The boat sank at about 1.10pm.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “A small sailing boat sank at about 1.10pm on 22 May after it was reported to have drifted from its anchor outside Brighton Marina and struck the harbour wall.
“The alarm was raised with HM Coastguard about 7.15am by a report of concern for the vessel. Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Brighton were sent and confirmed there was no one on board. The marina management was alerted.”
1. Small sailing boat sinks in Sussex marina after striking harbour wall – in pictures
A small sailing boat has sunk in a Sussex marina after striking a harbour wall. Photo: Eddie Mitchell
2. Small sailing boat sinks in Sussex marina after striking harbour wall – in pictures
The boat was reported to have drifted from its anchor outside Brighton Marina yesterday (May 22). Photo: Eddie Mitchell
3. Small sailing boat sinks in Sussex marina after striking harbour wall – in pictures
The alarm was raised with HM Coastguard at 7.15am, and the Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Brighton were sent. Photo: Eddie Mitchell
4. Small sailing boat sinks in Sussex marina after striking harbour wall – in pictures
The respective teams then confirmed there was no one on board. Photo: Eddie Mitchell