A man who was found floating face down in the sea has died.

He was found unconscious in the water near the Palace Pier in Brighton yesterday after the crew of a cruise ship and the Brighton Royal National Lifeboat Institute sped to his aid.

The lifeboat was first on the scene but, despite rescue efforts, medics could not save his life.

Lifeboat crewmen praised the crew on board the luxury liner Europa, anchored off Brighton Marina, for their "true seafaring comradeship" by promptly launching their own rescue boat after intercepting radio signals going between Solent Coastguard and the lifeboat.

The Brighton lifeboat was launched at 7am following reports of a man in the sea, thought to be about 30.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the man before taking him to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Brighton lifeboat spokesman Dave Adamson said: "During this rescue, the large German Cruise ship the Europa also promptly launched a vessel to offer assistance.

"Brighton lifeboat reached the casualty first but appreciated the swift action of Europa's crew.

"It is believed the captain of Europa heard the initial radio transmit ions associated with this rescue and responded in true seafaring comradeship.

"It was a very gentlemanly and very nice thing to do."

It is not yet known if the man was local but police were last night breaking the tragic news to his next of kin.

Scores of people spotted the giant cruise ship Europa off the shore during the rescue attempt. Many wondered what such a large vessel was doing so close to the seafront.

The German vessel, which was carrying hundreds of holidaymakers, moored close to Kemp Town shore.

It later continued its voyage, leaving Brighton yesterday evening to sail to Hamburg.

Fares for the nine-night voyage, which set off from Lisbon last Friday and visited Portuguese town Porto, the French towns of St Jean de Luz and Bordeaux, and Guernsey before its last stop in Brighton, start at about £2,500 and go up to about £6,000.

The 408-passenger ship is the only cruise liner to have been given a five star plus rating six times in a row by the Berlitz Cruise Guide.

It has seven decks and 204 suites. Its two most deluxe suites have their own sauna, whirlpool, guest lavatory and a dining-table for six.

Ten other penthouse suites measure 53 square yards, with all passengers served by a personal butler 24 hours a day.

Facilities include a ball room, a library, a golf simulator, a putting green, hairdresser and beauty salon, a fitness room, swimming pool and cinema.