The Yarmouth, Isle of Wight all-weather lifeboat was called to assist a dismasted yacht in the early hours today.The 32 foot wooden classic, Avalon,on passage to Poole, lost her mast two miles west of the Needles.
 
The mast broke at deck level leaving the yacht in a dangerous situation in rough seas, with winds gusting at 35 knots.  
 
The yacht had a crew of two men, both of whom were safely transferred to the lifeboat.  
 
The Yarmouth lifeboat then took the yacht in tow to calmer waters close to Fort Victoria where the rig was made safe before being towed into Yarmouth.