Two lifeboats were launched on Monday evening after reports a yacht was drifting towards rocks.

Port St Mary RNLI's Trent class all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth and D class inshore lifeboat Frank Martin launched just after 8pm after a yacht's mooring broke in Port St Mary harbour, causing the vessel to drift across Bay ny Carrickey.

The all-weather lifeboat launched with six volunteer crew members on board, while the inshore lifeboat launched with a further four volunteer crew.

At the time of launch, the yacht was in the area of the Cronnag and Black Rocks, offshore from the Shore Hotel.

With high water approaching, light fading, a fresh breeze, numerous lobster pots in the area and the yacht drifting ever closer to the rocks, the crews used their local knowledge, training and RNLI equipment, to assess the situation and safely approach the vessel.

Two volunteer crew members transferred to the yacht to confirm nobody was on board and to assess the vessel's condition.

The crew quickly identified that if the yacht continued to drift, it was likely to be driven further up onto Black Rocks. Had the vessel broken up, there was a risk of fuel, oil and debris entering the marine environment and affecting the local coastline.

A tow was quickly established and, once the broken mooring had been released, both lifeboats worked together to safely recover the yacht and return it to Port St Mary Harbour.

Volunteer crew member Dan Shimmin, who was transferred onto the yacht, said: ‘I was so proud to be part of the crew today. Teamwork and some great boat handling meant we were able to stop the yacht being driven onto the rocks.

‘Had it grounded, there was a real risk of fuel, oil and debris entering the marine environment, as well as the likely loss of the yacht for its owner.

‘Everyone worked together brilliantly and it's great to have helped prevent what could have been a very different outcome. Thanks to those that reported it.’