Sailor rescued by Passing Caterman after his vessel sinks near Cowes

A sailor has been rescued after his badly-damaged boat sank in the busy shipping lanes off the Isle Of Wight. The unnamed sailor sent a VHF radio message shortly before 8pm on Friday evening to the UK coastguard, reporting that his vessel was at risk of capsizing in the English Channel.A major search involving the coastguard was called off after a passing Caterman called Backslash who is due to take part in the around the Island race spotted a figure bombing up and down in the water. The unnamed sailor said it was a “huge relief” to be rescued. and glad to be safe,” he said. A coastguard team from Ventnor was scrambled just after 8pm to meet the distressed sailor at the Folly Inn in Whippenham on the Isle of Wight. It’s unclear if the man rescued was due to take part in race that starts at around 6.15am on Saturday