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Storm Claudio: Yacht crew airlifted in 'horrendous' weather

Amy Smith Yacht towed into NewlynAmy Smith
The French yacht was towed into Newlyn with its sails shredded

Eight people have been airlifted from a yacht after it got into difficulty in "horrendous" weather.

The 39ft (12m) French sailing vessel got into trouble off Porthleven in Cornwall as force 10 winds from Storm Claudio left the sails in shreds.

The crew were airlifted off the yacht as water poured in through a smashed window and came up to their shins.

Penlee lifeboat crew praised the "amazing" skills of the helicopter crew before the yacht was towed to safety.

david pascoe Yacht towed into Newlyndavid pascoe
The crew were up to their shins in water pouring in from a broken window

The lifeboat crew said they responded to a mayday call at about 20:30 GMT on Monday, setting off from Newlyn into "horrendous weather conditions" with "a screaming wind gusting force 10, driving heavy rain, rough seas and extremely poor visibility".

The wind at nearby Gwennap Head was gusting up to 85mph (137km/h), with an average wind speed of 65mph (105km/h).

The yacht was drifting two miles off Porthleven and in danger of eventually being smashed on to rocks before a tow rope was attached to it by the lifeboat crew "in very challenging conditions", said the Penlee crew.

But the tow rope gave way and another had to be attached before the coastguard helicopter arrived.

Amy Smith Stricken yachtAmy Smith
Lifeboat and coastguard crews were praised for their work in very challenging conditions

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924, which was heading to the Isles of Scilly, was redirected to the scene.

"In the most difficult and extreme conditions, whilst the lifeboat kept the yacht under way heading into the weather, the crew of Rescue 924 managed to winch the eight casualties to the safety of the helicopter," said the Penlee crew.

They said they "witnessed some amazing flying skills by the pilot and incredible determination by the winchman".

The stricken yacht was kept under tow, and despite taking on more water, arrived safely back in Newlyn Harbour at 01:30.

"This was a difficult shout for our volunteer crew who dealt with some very challenging conditions both on deck, and on board the lifeboat," said the Penlee crew.

Coastguard helicopter 924
The coastguard helicopter crew performed amazing flying skills in the rescue, said the Penlee crew
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