6 September 2010 Last updated at 05:37 ET

Pair rescued from sinking yacht off Dorset

Two people were rescued by a lifeboat crew after their yacht began taking on water off the Dorset coast.

Portland Coastguard were alerted on Sunday afternoon by a mayday call from the crew of Sea Thyme, positioned 6 miles (10km) south west of Swanage.

The coastguard helicopter attended and a winchman was lowered to the deck of the 37ft (11m) yacht to assist them.

The Swanage RNLI lifeboat deployed its salvage pump to clear the water and towed the yacht into Poole Harbour.

Ros Evans, watch manager at Portland maritime rescue coordination centre, said: "Fortunately the coastguard helicopter was in the area after attending a separate incident and responded very quickly."