The Caister lifeboat Annette Thurlow was launched around 3pm on June 3 to help the yacht Roede Orm, which was being hit by three to four metre waves.
Before the lifeboat arrived, a ship called Contship Top had already taken the four people off the yacht because the conditions were so bad.
The lifeboat crew focused on saving the damaged yacht itself, and assistant coxswain Aaron Thurlow was put on board to check how badly it was damaged.
Mr Thurlow decided the yacht could be made safe enough to tow, and he secured it in very difficult conditions.
The four rescued sailors were moved from the Contship Top onto the lifeboat, which then rejoined the Roede Orm and began towing it.
At about 5.40pm, after around two hours on scene, the lifeboat started the slow tow back to Great Yarmouth, going via the North Scroby buoy because of the weather and the drift.
The Roede Orm was safely tied up at South Quay in Great Yarmouth by 10.40pm, and the lifeboat got back to its station at about 1am.
