A CATAMARAN dinghy that capsized near Purbeck left two people in the water.

The people were rescued by the nearby motor yacht Castaway, which reported the incident at Handfast Point around 3.05pm yesterday.

Swanage Inshore Lifeboat was able to recover the catamaran and take it to Studland Bay, along with the two people.

They were met by Swanage Coastguards upon arrival.

Elsewhere, a Canadian canoe in Poole with eight people on board was reported to be in danger.

The canoe was at risk of being swept out of the harbour by the tide.

A jetskier in Poole Harbour alerted Portland Coastguard at around 4.46pm.

Poole Inshore Lifeboat monitored the situation as the canoe safely reached the shore.

Meanwhile, a six-metre rib called Motley Crew required assistance after breaking down in Portland Harbour.

Portland Port reported the incident at around 5.02pm.

A rib called Sabre responded to a broadcast request for assistance by Portland Coastguard and towed Motley Crew to the marina.

Later in the evening, West Bay’s Initial Response Team investigated a report of a Canadian-style canoe found drifting on the River Brit.

The canoe was found near the Parkdean Holidays caravan site at around 10.44pm.

There were no signs of recent use but there was confusion as to how it had got to the part of the river it was found on.

Coastguards searched the immediate area but nothing untoward was found.

Soon after this incident, Dorset Police contacted Portland Coastguard after receiving a report of a number of young men in a small open boat.

The boat was in the area of Mudeford Quay at around 11.07pm.

Officers from Southbourne Coastguard Initial Response Team investigated the report and monitored the situation.