RAF

RAF helps rescue stricken sailor stranded in Atlantic storm 700 miles off Cornwall

Watch: RAF aircraft help rescue stranded sailor whose boat was damaged in Storm Ciaran.

Royal Air Force aircraft helped to rescue a sailor from the Atlantic Ocean after his yacht was battered by Storm Ciaran.

The sailor put out a distress call late on Thursday after his Norwegian-registered boat ran into difficulty, losing both masts in the sea around 700 miles off the Cornish coast.

A French Navy FA50 Falcon jet was initially sent to find the yacht and check the sailor was alive, then, at first light the following morning, an RAF Atlas A400M was launched and then a Poseidon from 201 Squadron took responsibility for the task.

Both aircraft carry survival equipment that they can drop to support mariners – the Poseidon's air search and rescue survival kit, a Uni-Pac 3, has a survival raft.

A yacht later rescued by RAF aircraft is battered by Atlantic waves (Picture: Royal Air Force). — The yacht rescued by RAF aircraft (Picture: RAF).

The Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft made sure the sailor remained on board during the rescue. If he had fallen overboard, the jet would have had to drop life rafts and a survival equipment capsule for him.

The plane's crew guided the merchant vessel Green Azure to the location to rescue the sailor and the RAF worked closely with UK and international agencies, including HM Coastguard, to return him to safety.

Wing Commander Adam Smolak, Officer Commanding 201 Squadron, said: "Poseidon aircraft and crews are on constant standby to respond to incidents such as this.

"The duty crew reacted quickly and professionally to help support the successful rescue of the sailor. The success of the mission is a testament to their professionalism and excellent training."

An RAF Atlas and Poseidon helped rescue a sailor in the Atlantic last year after his yacht lost its mast in stormy seas.