At 1.45am this morning, Shetland Coastguard were contacted by the yacht Poseidon, with two men on board, reporting they had dragged their anchor and hit rocks in Lerwick in severe weather. Lerwick RNLI lifeboat was immediately launched.

Shetland Coastguard were assisted by another nearby vessel at anchor, Fairway, which monitored the situation on the yacht Poseidon while the lifeboat made their way to the scene.

Pumps from the lifeboat were used to reduce the water taken in by the damaged vessel and with the aim of trying to tow the yacht to come alongside in Lerwick.

Severe weather conditions are forecast, with current conditions on scene of South Easterly force 7 and winds up to storm force 10 forecast later.

Poseidon is a German registered 14 metre yacht and the two men on board are reported to be staying and working in the Lerwick area.