A British man has been rescued after falling overboard from a yacht off the coast of Ushant in France.

Brixham
Coastguard received a 999 call just after 3pm yesterday afternoon reporting
that one of the two people on board the Contessa 32 yacht had been washed overboard
by a large wave.

The French search and rescue authorities coordinated the rescue, with
Brixham Coastguard assisting by keeping in regular contact with the man
still on board the yacht and the French authorities.

The search involved a French lifeboat, two search and rescue helicopters,
a fixed-wing aircraft, along with two Navy ships, one from France and
another from Germany, which both happened to be in the area at the time.

The French lifeboat managed to locate the yacht and escorted it back to
Ushant with the one remaining crew member on board.

After a search of
the area, the other crew member was found by the German ship and from
there was airlifted to hospital in France believed to be suffering from
hypothermia. He was wearing a lifejacket and a wet suit.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman said: ‘We have been liaising with this yacht and the French authorities this
afternoon to ensure the safe return of both these men on board this
British yacht.

‘The man who fell overboard was wearing a lifejacket and also a type of
wet suit, which undoubtedly saved his life. It was also a bright orange
colour, so it made it easier for him to be spotted by rescuers.

‘We always advise anyone setting out to sea to ensure they wear a
lifejacket or a buoyancy aid. These should be well maintained and should
have a sprayhood, light and whistle if possible.

‘It’s also worth making sure you attach yourself to your vessel whilst
on deck to stop yourself falling overboard, particularly if you’re alone
in rough conditions.

‘In this case, it was lucky that his fellow crew
member was able to raise the alarm.’

(Picture: A file pic of a Contessa 32 yacht)