A RELIEVED sailor was on the receiving end of a surprise rescue after getting into danger in rough conditions near Bridgwater on Sunday.

Doug Pingel was living onboard the 35ft yacht 'Jekeeta' when it ran into difficulty off Lilstock, near Kilve, with the sails in tatters and dragging the anchor.

With the vessel rapidly drifting into further danger and suffering engine problems Swansea Coastguard Control alerted rescuers from Burnham RNLI.

The Staines Whitfield lifeboat was scrambled at about 8.30am with the Puffin launched shortly afterwards.

The surprised sailor, who had not sent out an SOS emergency call, gratefully accepted help from the two rescue crews.

The volunteers onboard the lifeboat sprung into action and towed the yacht back to the safety of the Burnham sailing club pontoons in the River Brue and the craft was repaired and the owner was debriefed by the coastguard.

Mr Pingel, from Newport, said: “I was surprised to see the RNLI because I had not called for help, however the help was received gratefully.”

Burnham RNLI spokesman Mike Lang added: “Doug who was well equipped with the proper charts and safety gear, had apparently anchored on Saturday evening, being wet and cold.

“The anchor had dragged in the fresh winds and eventually not touched bottom.”

Lifeboat Helmsman Glenn Cutter said: “We were glad to be in a position to offer help, because conditions were rough and he was obviously tired.

“This proves that these things can happen to even the most experienced and well equipped sailors.”