A DISABLED fishing party aboard Weymouth's MV Freedom had a scare when the boat started flooding.

Sea water poured in to one of the charter vessel's engine compartments after an exhaust cap broke off, stopping the motor.

The boat, which has been adapted for wheelchair access and is supported by charity, was 10 miles west of Portland Bill at the time with six disabled anglers on board.

Skipper Peter Targett, who was able to keep motoring with the boat's other engine, started the pumps and alerted coastguards.

Portland's rescue helicopter and Weymouth lifeboat were launched in response.

Mr Targett said the incident happened as they were preparing to fish at the Salsette wreck in Lyme Bay.

He said: "The engine alarms went off and when I looked water was coming into the engine room. I shut the engine off and managed to block the ingress. It looks like one of the engine exhaust caps came away, bringing a lot of water back inside."

Mr Targett started heading back to Weymouth using the vessel's remaining engine, and was escorted back to harbour by the lifeboat after being met south of Portland Bill.

He said his angling party had been looking forward to the trip yesterday but were not too disappointed.

"It was exciting to see the lifeboat and the helicopter, " he said.

"The engine compartment is covered in oil - we will need to take stock of the damage done."

Two other craft which heard the radio alert also went to the boat's help, including an HM Customs cutter.

Mr Targett added: "It was nice to see the response of people on the water."

MV Freedom is a registered charity and has operated as a disabled angling boat for several years.

Elsewhere, Portland's rescue helicopter was called into action again to lift a passenger from a cross channel ferry at sea.

The aircraft was scrambled to Barfleur, which was two hours from Poole, after an 88-year old woman complained of sever stomach pains.

She was airlifted to Poole landing site and transferred to hospital.