THE Lyme Bay Lifeboat was launched following concerns for someone in a yacht off Chesil Beach.

The vessel, Volta, had engine problems and was towed back to West Bay Harbour just after 4pm yesterday.

The person aboard the yacht was not hurt but suffering from cold, coastguards said.

Elsewhere, coastguards investigated a report of a vessel that appeared to be letting off excessive amounts of black smoke.

They found the vessel, around four miles off Kimmeridge, just before 10am yesterday and were satisfied it was normal engine emissions.

A false alert was raised after Dorset Police received a report of a man who appeared ‘agitated’ at the cliff edge near Blacknor on Portland.

Coastguards and police officers went to the scene shortly before 10am yesterday and the man said he was simply enjoying the view.

And a police officer investigated after seeing a light near rocks at Bowleaze Cove.

Coastguards were informed and the officer carried out a search, but was satisfied there was no cause for concern.