Sailors saved after 'hit-and-run'

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Two sailors had to be rescued when their yacht was in a collision with a fishing vessel in a "hit-and-run" in rough seas off the Dorset coast.

The Ten Men trimaran made a Mayday call after it lost its mast in the crash 15 miles off Swanage on Friday afternoon.

Another boat came to the men's aid and directed a lifeboat to the scene which towed the trimaran to land.

The Dutch fishing vessel left the scene but was later found by coastguards. The crew said they were unaware of a crash.

A Portland Coastguard spokeswoman said: "The vessel should have stayed at the scene, it was only found by our helicopter and then contacted.

You could say it was almost a hit-and-run at sea but the insurance companies will have to deal with it Portland Coastguard

"The Dutch crew claim they were unaware of a collision and they are now in contact with the yacht's crew to go through insurance details.

"You could say it was almost a hit-and-run at sea but the insurance companies will have to deal with it."

The two sailors on the yacht were taken to shore unhurt.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed of the incident.

An RNLI spokesman said: "The seas were very rough when we went out there.

"It took two-and-a-half hours to tow the yacht back but luckily those on board were fine."