By Emily Parsons and Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 11:36, Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Two sailors were taken to hospital after a daring rescue in gale force winds.

Safe: The yacht Never Satisfied in Whitehaven

The tow rope snapped twice during the five-hour rescue, as lifeboat crews braved treacherous weather. Two men were on board the 41ft yacht Never Satisfied when it broke down about 11 miles off the coast of St Bees Head at 4.25pm yesterday.

John Stobbart, a coxwain with Workington RNLI, described a “challenging and difficult” rescue as they battled gale force eight and nine winds.

“When we got there, the yacht’s engine had become disabled and it was drifting violently,” he told the News & Star.

“The conditions were awful. There were high winds, driving sleet and snow – not very pleasant at all.”

The RNLI team managed to get one of their crew members onto the yacht to help the cold and sea sick sailors while they attached a tow to it.

Mr Stobbart added: “The tow snapped twice while we were pulling it into Whitehaven, but we eventually got back into the marina after 9.15pm.

“The poor weather conditions and the distance that the boat was off shore made it a challenging and difficult rescue.

“It was a tough evening but it ended well and I am sure the men will both make a full recovery.”

The sailors were both taken to hospital suffering from suspected mild hypothermia and sea sickness.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 04 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk