A NUMBER of vessels attended after a yacht reported a sinking dinghy sailing east of Portland harbour entrance yesterday afternoon.

A total of four vessels went to assist and the two people in the water were recovered safe and well while the dinghy was towed back to shore.

Portland Coastguard also received a call from a concerned member of the public reporting two children in an inflatable dinghy that was drifting off Smallmouth Beach near Ferrybridge in Portland Harbour.

The coastguard contacted vessels in the area, which proceeded to the scene to provide assistance.

Wyke Regis Coastguard Officers were earlier alerted after another concerned member of public spotted clothing unattended near a chalet on Weymouth Beach.

The officers were stood down after the owners returned and collected the items after swimming.

In Poole Harbour a yacht with two people on board issued an emergency broadcast when it became stuck against a jetty at North Haven Marina.

The skipper was able to use the falling tide and the assistance of the jetty owner to overcome the problem and continue his passage to The Solent.

Local lifeguards were contacted after a member of the public reported a windsurfer who appeared to be waving for help 50 metres offshore from Flaghead Chine at Sandbanks.

They confirmed the casualty was actually a kite surfer who was now back up and sailing along fine.