A YACHT capsized and began breaking up in rough seas off Portland, coastguards said.

A Portland Coastguard spokesman said the French vessel Bastep was seen to get into difficulties by a lookout at Portland Bill.

He added that the vessel had lost its mast in the rough conditions and that the crew were lucky to have been seen.

The coastguards spokesman said the service received a call late yesterday afternoon from a volunteer for the National Coastwatch Institution, stationed at Portland Bill, who reported seeing the vessel capsize in the Race.

The coastguard spokesman said: "The vessel was immediately dismasted and, as it righted, the crew fired flares which were seen by other vessels, including the fishing vessel Portland Isle. The Weymouth lifeboat and coastguard helicopter were immediately sent on their way to the scene.

"The helicopter was able to establish that the three-strong crew of the French yacht Bastep were all still aboard. The Portland Isle was also quickly on the scene, a tow line was passed and the yacht pulled clear of the Race to a point where the mast and sails could be secured.

"The Weymouth lifeboat took over the tow and recovered the yacht to Weymouth harbour."

Portland Coastguard watch manager Ros Evans added: "The Portland Race has a deserved reputation and given the current wind over tide conditions it is especially rough. The crew of the French yacht are lucky that they were seen to capsize and that other vessels were so quickly on the scene."

  • TWO people aboard the yacht Senninha reported suffering a fouled prop on the Shambles Bank off Portland Bill.

A spokesman for Portland Coastguard said the crew was able to sail the vessel to an anchorage off Weymouth Beach unaided.