A SAILOR rescued off Portland following an 11-hour search has been helped on his way home. As reported in the Echo, Mick Royton, aged 52, was stranded in the Channel after a huge wave hit his boat.

He put out a ‘Mayday’ call and was found by HMS St Albans 18 miles off Portland in a search that involved the Portland and Solent helicopters, Weymouth RNLI and other vessels.

He had set off from Lannion, France, and was attempting to reach Poole when disaster struck.

Mr Royton, who was taken off his trimaran by Weymouth lifeboat and rushed to Dorset County Hospital, told the Echo he felt lucky to be alive.

During his hospital stay he was paid a visit by the Seafarers’ welfare charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS).

A member of the RNLI contacted the charity and representative Lt Cdr Mark Kemmis Betty went to see Mr Royton.

He said: “Michael was in bed very exhausted but he insisted in showing me on his chart where he was picked up by the lifeboat, about 20 miles south of Portland Bill.

“Initially it looked like he would be discharged but, as he was somewhat confused, the hospital agreed to keep him in overnight and I arranged to collect him the following morning.”

The next day, the sailor, from Brighton, was looking much better and, after collecting some medication, Mr Kemmis Betty took him to Dorchester South train station.

He bought Mr Royton a ticket to Chichester, where he was hoping to go out in his friend’s yacht to try and find his vessel.

“I gave him the coastguard’s telephone number and waved goodbye to him as he left Dorchester,” said Mr Kemmis Betty.