Royal Navy destroyer rescues four from yacht at risk of sinking in Channel

A Royal Navy warship has rescued four people from a yacht at risk of sinking in the English Channel.

The Type 45 destroyer answered the mayday call near the Isle of Wight after the civilian boat took on a "significant amount of water".

The Portsmouth-based warship, in the area after leaving her home port yesterday, worked alongside Newhaven and Bembridge RNLI crews and a French Coastguard helicopter, the Royal Navy said.

One of Diamond's seaboats picked up four of the five on board the yacht, returning them to the warship to be looked over by medical staff. Newhaven RNLI lifeboat crew then took them to hospital.

HMS Diamond's sailors get ready to launch the ship's seaboat (Picture: Royal Navy).

Navy sailors helped the yacht's skipper stabilise the boat and get it back to the UK.

HMS Diamond's Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Barfoot, said: "In arduous conditions, working without respite, members of my ship's company saved the lives of five sailors and ensured a vessel was not lost.

"This is in keeping with the finest traditions of the service and I could not be more proud of my team."