Lone sailor 20 miles off Cornish coast rescued

The lone sailor was initially assisted by the crew of the RNLI Sennen Cove lifeboat, 'Volunteer Spirit'

A sailor has been rescued after he was unable to control his yacht due to rigging issues 20 miles (32km) off the Cornish coast.

Sennen Cove lifeboat was sent to the sailor at 01:40 GMT on Sunday.

He was north west of Longships Lighthouse and was unable to control the vessel, the RNLI said.

The Sennen lifeboat crew found the yacht and began towing it to Newlyn before swapping the tow with the Penlee lifeboat at 07:00, two miles (3.2km) from the harbour.

The yacht landed safely in Newlyn after the tow was taken up by the RNLI Penlee's temporary lifeboat, 'City of London III'

The RNLI said the crew had to reconnect the tow twice but arrived safely in the harbour by 11:00.

A spokesperson for the RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station said: "The yacht skipper was very appreciative of the assistance provided by both lifeboat crews and Falmouth Coastguard.

"He also very much enjoyed a sausage sandwich and coffee at the RNLI’s Penlee Lifeboat Station."