A boat which got into difficulty just off Weymouth Beach and was assisted was the subject of a coastguard rescue a few hours later after it hit rocks further down the coast.

The small yacht is thought to have run aground having been blown by strong south easterly winds and was seen early on Saturday a few feet off the beach at Greenhill.

As the tide came in, a group of sea swimmers rallied round and helped to push it out to sea - see our story here.

Unfortunately it's understood it was the same vessel which got into difficulty again a few hours later near Osmington with the couple on board having to be rescued.

Coastguards said a vessel had run aground and hit rocks and the people on board had to be taken off by a coastguard helicopter.

The yacht had been noticed at Greenhill about 6.15am on Saturday by a dog walker who said: "It didn't look like it was in any danger but it was unusual to see it in so close to the beach.

(Image: Supplied) "I presumed they had come close to the shore for whatever reason, possibly being blown in because of the wind or it had dragged its anchor, and were waiting for the tide so it could go back out again.

"I couldn't see any crew and there didn't seem to be any panic. I just hoped they were able to get it back out to sea again."

Later, after it was assisted back into deeper water, it's thought the same yacht ran into difficulty near Osmington.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard coordinated the rescue of two people on board a vessel on 5 October. Alerted at around 10.40am.

"Wyke and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI Weymouth lifeboat and HM Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent were tasked.

"The pair were recovered safe and well and taken to dry land."

The spokesperson confirmed the vessel had ran aground against rocks and the pair on board were winched off by the Coastguard helicopter.