A BOAT sinking in Weymouth Harbour overnight sparked a coastguard alert.

A spokesman for Portland Coastguard said for reasons that are not currently known the small vessel in the marina began taking on board water last night and this morning just its mast could be seen above the surface.

He said there was initial concern from coastguards as they had information to suggest a man had been living on board the vessel.

However, the man was soon located safe and well and had not been on the boat when it had sunk.