TWO people had to be rescued from their cruiser after it ran aground on rocks in strong winds and driving rain at Helwell Bay, Watchet, on Sunday evening.

Nearby residents and holidaymakers sounded the alarm after seeing the 33ft Sunseeker, Flying V, in trouble just after 7.30pm.

With one of the engines out of action, the crew - a man and woman from Coventry - also made a mayday call, which was picked up by coastguards at Swansea's maritime rescue centre.

They both escaped injury but coastguards from the Watchet team, who were on the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised, described the conditions as frightening and unpleasant.

"Luckily, no-one was hurt in what could have been a very serious incident," said coastguard Simon Bale.

"With an engine disabled and drifting onto the rocks, the crew did the right thing in calling mayday.

"And the quick thinking action of the witnesses who dialled 999 allowed the coastguard to quickly confirm lives were in danger, confirming the exact location and allowing the correct rescue resources to be sent to the scene."

The stricken cruiser was on route to Ilfracombe from Penarth when the crew decided to take shelter from the force six winds and strong tides in Watchet harbour.

But unable to gain immediate access due to the low tide, the boat drifted into Helwell Bay where it struck a seam of rocks east of the headland and began to list in the heavy sea.

In addition to the coastguard team, Minehead's lifeboat was also called out, as well as an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter from Chivenor.

The light was fading by the time the coastguard team reached the shoreline.

But using water rescue equipment and safety lines, two coastguards donned dry suits and waded out through the breaking waves to the cruiser.

They brought the crew back to shore, one at a time, where they were checked out by paramedics in a waiting ambulance.

As the cruiser continued to roll in the waves, an anchor was deployed to try and hold it in position in an attempt to float it off the rocks and allow the lifeboat to secure a tow line and take it to the safety of the harbour.

But with the crew safe, it was decided not to endanger the lives of the lifeboatmen or risk damaging the lifeboat on the exposed rocks.

The lifeboat took refuge in the harbour as the tide continued to flood Helwell Bay and rescuers hoped the cruiser would stay afloat and remain on its anchor.

But as the Sea King hovered overhead and illuminated the area with its search lights, it soon became clear that the anchor was not holding.

"With each breaking wave it was being driven further into the shore across the rocks towards the cliffs," said Mr Bale.

By 9pm the coastguard team had got themselves in position on the Doniford side of the bay.

As the cruiser was pushed down and across until it ran aground again, they were able to secure another line onto it in a bid to keep it off the rocks and hopefully recover it later when conditions were calmer.

Both the Sea King and lifeboat were stood down and the cruiser crew were taken back to the coastguard station in Watchet where overnight accommodation was arranged for them.

The following morning local fisherman Steve Yeandle, aboard his vessel Scooby Doo Too, helped by the 1st Watchet Sea Scouts safety boat, attempted to try and refloat the damaged cruiser.

But due to the lower high tide and the fact that the cruiser had been driven high onto the beach and rocks by the previous night's strong winds, this proved impossible.

Mr Bale said the boat was secured as best as possible and the contents removed, with a further attempt at salvaging it planned to take place some time this week.