LIFEBOAT crews went to the aid of five people on an inflatable clinging to a buoy in Studland Bay.

Crews from Poole and Swanage were alerted by UK Coastguard just after 2pm yesterday.

They discovered a passing vessel had gone to their aid and checked they were all accounted for on Middle Beach.

The Poole crew was then diverted to a broken down jet ski and a yacht with a broken mast.

The 24ft yacht with one person on-board had dis-masted near the South Hook Buoy, which is just south of the Hook sands.

The lifeboat went alongside and transferred a member of crew across, who checked that the skipper was okay and then prepared the yacht to be towed back in with the mast and rigging trailing underneath.

A tow line was attached, and the lifeboat brought the stricken vessel into the harbour and on to its mooring off Shell Bay Marina.

The crew then hauled in the damaged mast, which was broken in several places, and secured and stowed away the sails, that were still attached with the rigging into the yacht.

Poole Lifeboat volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said: "Its been a busy few days for us, with some different incidents and situations. If you are heading out on the water, please know your limits and don't put yourself at risk, stay safe."