Skipper dives from burning boat

The burning boat was near a tanker unloading 3,000 tonnes of fuel

A yacht skipper has been rescued after diving into the sea as flames engulfed his vessel on its maiden trip.

David Young, 36, had just collected the 24-foot (7.3 m) yacht and was crossing Poole Harbour to pick up his wife and daughter when the fire broke out at about 0900 BST.

Mr Young, from Bournemouth, had been filling up the fuel tank when it suddenly ignited and and burst into flames.

As the fire engulfed the boat, Mr Young dived into the water while emergency services worked to ensure the fire did not spread to a fuel tanker 200 yards (183 metres) away.

He was then rescued by a passing pleasure boat, as his family watched from the quayside.

John Clarke, the Coxswain of Poole Lifeboat, said their priority was to get the yacht away from other vessels and the petrol tanker, which was unloading 3,000 tonnes of fuel.

"He had either just entered or was tied up in Dolphin Haven when the vessel just burst into flames according to eyewitnesses," Mr Clarke said.

"We went as near as we dared go alongside and put the fire out with the police launch.

"The chap had a few burns on his arms but was declared OK at the scene."

Eyewitness Des Meenaghan, a 69-year-old retired builder, said: "Somebody told me later that he was going to pick up his family.

"It was lucky he hadn't quite reached them because I dread to think what might have happened."