Tuesday 6 July.

A yachtsman had to abandon his 30 foot wooden yacht ‘The Spark’ which was on fire, and had take refuge in his rubber dingy.

Clyde Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI lifeboat from Islay and requested vessels in the area to assist.

Tarik Yassin, Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager, says: “The yachtsman had been sailing between the Mull of Kintyre and the Island of Jura when he was refuelling his petrol generator and a splash of fuel was believed to have entered the galley, where a stove was alight and a fire resulted. “

“A passing yacht picked up the yachtsman and later transferred him to the lifeboat where he was taken to Kennacraig Ferry Terminal. The yacht has now sunk in deep water.”

“We urge the public to be very careful when using volatile liquids such as petrol.”