Yacht becomes stuck on mudflats

The yacht was refloated on the next high tide

Two lifeboats and a hovercraft launched from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset after concerns were raised a man was stranded onboard a yacht which had run aground.

The yacht, called Reds, became stuck on the mudflats at Berrow after the tide fell.

Burnham's Light Of Elizabeth hovercraft helped coastguards check on his condition and assess whether he could safely refloat on the next high tide.

The yachtsman was sailing from Cardiff to Norfolk when he went aground.

Coastguard officer Steve Bird said: "Strong onshore winds blew the yacht aground on Saturday evening during rough sea conditions and there was concern for his safety."

A lifeboat was used to refloat the yacht, and then it towed it to the security of Burnham Sailing Club pontoons.