'I feel my life has been saved' after yacht rescue

Working with the Dover Coastguard Operations Centre, police officers located the 40ft-yacht near Gunfleet Sands off-shore windfarm, four miles off Clacton

A yachtsman who was "scared for [his] life" has praised the bravery of police officers after they came to his aid in heavy seas off Clacton in Essex.

Roy Harris and his partner Caroline Wilson were sailing back to the River Crouch from Kent on Sunday when a storm unexpectedly hit.

His yacht, the Samphire, took on water, its sail rope tore and Mr Harris radioed a PAN-PAN distress message to alert nearby boats and emergency services of an urgent problem.

The Essex Police Marine Unit said they located the 40ft-yacht near Gunfleet Sands off-shore windfarm, four miles off Clacton.

Due to the weather conditions and damaged sail, the journey back took more than two hours – it would usually take 45 minutes

Sgt Alex Southgate, PC John Perry and special constable Scott McCabe were on Operation Wave-Breaker patrols when they picked up the distress call.

“When Alex leapt on to the boat, touched my arm and said ‘You’re safe now’, it was such a comfort. I had been scared for my life," Mr Harris said.

“The officers should be recognised for their bravery – they don’t just nick criminals, they save people’s lives.”

He said Sunday’s storm had not been forecast and he would not have set sail from the Isle of Sheppey earlier that day if it had been.

They had sailed between six and seven hours in good conditions but, when they turned into the Crouch, the jib sheet broke, the ropes tangled and water poured in.

“I became exhausted very quickly and sent a PAN-PAN. I didn’t want to call for assistance because the airwaves were busy, but I had no choice," Mr Harris added.

"The Essex Police Marine Unit turned up out of the blue.

"I wasn’t expecting them at all...I can’t express my gratitude and appreciation enough. I feel like my life has been saved."

Sgt Southgate said the large waves made the approach "particularly dangerous", but PC Perry’s skill and judgement enabled him to get to the yacht.

"Once we’d checked everything over, I was able to take control of the yacht and steer it to the safety of Brightlingsea Harbour...SC McCabe kept us in touch with Dover and our own control centre, which was vital."