‘Lucky escape’ for ill-equipped dinghy sailors

Crew of four young men - with no lifejackets or radio - narrowly avoided running onto rocks off Lyme Regis

Four young men in an inflatable boat had a lucky escape yesterday (Saturday) when they came close to being blown on to rocks west of Lyme Regis.

The dinghy was first spotted by Lyme Regis deputy harbourmaster Mike Higgs who alerted coastguards who, in turn, asked for help from the lifeboat which was launched at 2.17pm.

The dinghy, a seven foot Zodiac, was powered by paddles, and coastguards said the men had no lifejackets, no radio and no phone. They had apparently drifted about a mile and were in danger of hitting rocks at Seven Rock Point.

The lifeboat stayed on scene while the dinghy eventually reached the beach safely where it was met by a local coastguard rescue team.

Coastguards said they offered the men sea safety advice.