Sailor tells of terrifying moment he fell overboard in the Bristol Channel near Portishead
The boat was drifting dangerously close to rocks, prompting a Mayday call and the RNLI called out - luckily he was wearing a lifejacket
Ian Leigh with the Portishead RNLI crew (Image: Portishead RNLI - Helen Lazenby)
A sailor has spoken of how wearing a lifejacket saved his life – after he fell overboard and was swept into the Bristol Channel.
Ian Leigh was sailing just off Battery Point, Portishead, last month when his boat started drifting dangerously towards the rocks.
As he tried to start the outboard motor, it came off, pulling him back into the water.
His quick-thinking crew mate managed to drag Ian, from Portishead, back on board while steering the boat to safety.
A Mayday call was issued by the coastguard, with Portishead RNLI and the coastguard helicopter launched, racing to the scene.
A spokesman for Portishead RNLI said: "The coastguard had received a mayday call from a yacht saying that they had a man overboard and the lifeboat volunteers knew this was a serious callout.
The lifeboat was launched
"The weather conditions were worsening, so the crew launched with best speed and headed to the reported position of the casualty vessel.
"Working closely with the coastguard helicopter crew who were flying above, the casualty vessel was quickly located.
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"As the lifeboat arrived on scene it was a relief to see that somehow the man that had been overboard was back in the stricken yacht.
"His crewmate had managed to recover the skipper back on board."
Crews got on board the boat and checked both the sailors over.
Luckily both had suffered just minor cuts and bruises.
An ambulance was called
However, Ian's condition started to deteriorate as they headed back to shore with crew members concerned he was at risk of becoming unconscious.
The lifeboat crew radioed ahead asking for further medical assistance.
RNLI crew member Jake said: "I noticed that Ian's behaviour had changed and became increasingly concerned that his condition was deteriorating.
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'I noticed that he started to go quiet and then it looked like he was going to go unconscious.
"It didn't feel right and I just knew I had to get him off the boat.
"I tried to have a laugh and a joke with them to keep spirits high, but then the atmosphere changed after I got him into some warmer clothes.
"That's when I radioed the boat and said to the Helm Andy, that we needed to get them off.'
The RNLI raced to the scene
Crews were met by more support from the Portishead Coastguard team and RNLI shore crew from the station.
Within minutes the ambulance service arrived on scene, taking Ian to hospital for further treatment.
Crews returned to the now drifting yacht and got it back under tow, securing her by anchor outside the marina before the tide rose enough to bring it back in.
Ian – who was discharged from hospital later the same day suffering with bruised ribs and some broken fingers – met up with the RNLI crew later.
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He said: "As I sailed past the lifeboat station and was heading towards Battery Point, the wind really started to pick up and it became quite gusty.
"I decided to take down the sails and come back underway with the engine to Portishead.
"That is when it all happened. I was worried that we could get blown on to the rocks so tried to start the engine.
"It just fell off the back and pulled me in. I couldn't believe it.
"If I hadn't got my lifejacket on I would have been face down, no doubt about it.
"It would have been a completely different story without it on.
"The water was so cold I wouldn't have been able to keep afloat.
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"I am so grateful to the crews.
"Without help we would have just drifted on to the rocks and it doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened without them being there."
Anyone who sees someone in trouble on the coast should call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
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