Sailors from HMS Duncan rescued a yacht “drifting out of control” near Portland Bill on Saturday evening.

The Type 45 guided missile destroyer responded to a call for help from the Coastguard after a yacht was spotted drifting rapidly offshore.

The yacht had begun to experience difficulties at around 5.30pm with consistent wind speeds of 30-35 knots: the vessel, which had one person on board, had no working engine, power or communications.

HMS Duncan launched a Pacific 24 boat with a crew of specialists, an engineer and a medic onboard.

With conditions worsening, the crew were set to abandon the search when Jack Davies, Leading Engineering Technician, spotted the yacht’s mast.

Mr Davies boarded the vessel and set about repairing the engine despite hostile conditions.

Medical assistant Petty Officer Tom Austin added: “It took real skill to put us alongside in the heavy sea without hitting the other vessel, with waves crashing over the front of the boat.

“The individual onboard was in the later stages of shock and clearly in a dire condition. I’m glad that we were able to make a difference.”

After restoring power to the vessel, the team handed the situation over to the RNLI Weymouth lifeboat team, before returning safely back to HMS Duncan.

The vessel had been anchored in Weymouth Bay for trials and training following a prolonged period of extensive maintenance.