THE windless calm of Sunday afternoon stranded a yacht in the Bristol Channel when its engine failed.

The 31ft Byrluan, with a two-man crew on board including its Porlock owner, was towed to Porlock Weir by Minehead lifeboat.

Problems began about five miles north of Foreland Point, Devon, when the engine failed and the lack of wind force in any direction meant the yacht became windbound.

Swansea Coastguard alerted Minehead crew at 4.45pm and the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat was launched with helmsman Paul Marsh in charge.

Minehead lifeboat secretary Kevin Escott said: "This was an unfortunate situation for the yacht owner which happened through no fault of his own.

"Had there been sufficient windpower he could, of course, have made it to shore without assistance.

"The incident occurred almost to the extent of our area - 15 miles to the west and five miles offshore - and was completed in less than two and a half hours.

"I was very pleased with the speed this service was carried out."