RESCUE teams were called to 'multiple casualties' in 'challenging conditions' during a boat race in Dorset at the weekend.

Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue and the Weymouth Lifeboat were called to Portland Harbour at 9.20pm on Saturday, July 22.

They were dispatched there to meet several yachts which either had structural damage or injured crew on board.

The first vessel had sustained structural failure of the deck while competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race which started over the weekend.

It had been escorted into the harbour by Weymouth Lifeboat which conducted checks on all 12 people on the yacht.

The 50th edition of the race saw 430 yachts setting off from Cowes on the Isle of Wight into challenging conditions.

It sees yachts pass several landmarks along the coast, including Portland Bill, before heading out into the Irish sea and ending in Cherbourg, northern France. 

Rescue teams were later tasked with helping out on another competing vessel which was coming into the marina with a crew member suffering from a dislocated knee.

With help from Portland Marina staff and paramedics, the person was assessed and evacuated from the yacht before being taken to Dorset County Hospital (DCH). 

Portland Coastguard said that the team was 'made aware' of other incidents happening in the area at the same time, including a boat dragging its anchor in the harbour.

The rest of the team then returned to Portland Marina, followed by paramedics, to assist another Fastnet yacht with a crew member suffering from broken ribs.

The casualty was assessed and assisted off the yacht to also be taken to DCH for futher treatment.

After a hectic day on the water, rescue teams stood down and returned to their station at 1.30am on Sunday morning. 

Wyke Regis Coastguard was also forced into action at 8.33am on Sunday morning when a yacht headed into Weymouth Harbour with a member of the crew on board suffering from a broken arm. 

The female competitor was happy to take a taxi to hospital so the ambulance was stood down, the coastguard said. 

The race also saw two people on board another yacht towed to Poole amid 'challenging' conditions after experiencing steering problems.

Swanage Lifeboat teams were launched to rescue three yachts taking part in the Fastnet race. 

The race has proved dangerous to sailors in the past - in 1979, tragedy struck when 15 crew members died after several boats capsized and sank in high winds and severe sea conditions. 

Nick Critchell, press officer for Weymouth Lifeboat Station, said: “We did have a fairly thick and fast set of incidents evolving – pretty much all of the lifeboat teams were involved one way or the other.

“In six hours we had six different incidents that we had to deal with. That is quite an undertaking on behalf of the team and it shows the commitment of these guys dropping everything to go and help those in the race.

“They were undoubtedly tricky conditions. But that is the reason the lifeboat team is there, to be there if someone gets into difficulty."

Weymouth Lifeboat Week is returning this week which will see a variety of events and activities aimed at all the family to support the RNLI. 

“I think people do sometimes forget that it is all volunteer run and funded. We are grateful for all our local supporters at Lifeboat Week," Nick added. 

The race's manager Steve Cole said:"The Rolex Fastnet Race has a reputation as the world’s toughest offshore race, for many people it is their sailing ‘Everest’.

"In a race lasting many days for some, bad weather is likely at some point and as in many other sports, unfortunately injuries occur.

"We are happy to say that everyone who was injured were either dealt with by the always excellent emergency services or sought shelter themselves.

"The race continues with over 300 boats racing around the Fastnet rock and back to the finish in Cherbourg.”