SAILORS were rescued after their boat started sinking and a teenager trapped in mud was saved in two dramatic coastguard rescues.

Portland Coastguard co-ordinated the operations on Saturday.

In the first drama, Weymouth mariner Andy Young, his two sons and two sailing friends were rescued after their yacht took on water in rough seas off Portland.

The group were sailing to Devon when Mr Young discovered water emerging from the floorboards of his 45ft-long yacht.

Fearing the vessel would sink as it headed towards the fierce Portland tidal race, Mr Young sent out a Mayday.

The Portland Coastguard helicopter was above them in five minutes and lifted off Mr Young’s sons Tom, 14, and Isaac, 12, and family friend Bill Smith.

Mr Young, who stayed aboard with his friend Mick Church, said: “We were told the lifeboat was on the way. We are also indebted to the boat Offshore Rebel which diverted from fishing and stood by us.”

Mr Young said once Weymouth Lifeboat arrived, two crew members had difficulty getting aboard.

He said: “Once aboard I think the guys thought they would be looking for a broken seacock but when they saw the water was four to five inches above the floorboards they got a pump to control it.”

The boat made its way into Weymouth under its own power.

Mr Young said an inspection revealed a bulkhead in the anchor well had cracked and as the vessel went through rough seas water got inside.

Mopping up the boat in Weymouth Marina yesterday, Mr Young, 46, an environmental consultant, said the experience had been a shock.

No-one was hurt in the drama.

He added: “When the boat fills up so fast in 15 minutes it’s a bit of an eye-opener.

“We’re grateful to the helicopter and the lifeboat.”

Also on Saturday, a 13-year-old boy was plucked to safety after becoming trapped in mud at Stonebarrow Beach, Charmouth.

Coastguards said the boy, from Gloucester, went climbing thinking the ground was solid but became stuck up to his knees.

There were fears more mudslides could be triggered and the boy could be swamped in debris.

Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team hauled him to safety and reunited him with his parents.

The coastguard helicopter, which had also been scrambled, sent its paramedic down to check on the boy before an ambulance arrived. He was shocked but uninjured.

A Portland Coastguard spokesman said: “This incident is particularly likely at the moment, as the recent heavy rains have made much of the cliff unstable especially between Bridport and Sidmouth, with further cliff falls and mudslides likely.

“Coastguards and local authorities have placed warning signs in many areas, and we would urge visitors to pay special attention to these.

“If trapped in mud, remain still and summon coastguard assistance via 999.”