A YACHTSMAN from Ipswich was rescued by coastguards last night after a fire broke out in the engine room of his vessel.

A YACHTSMAN from Ipswich was rescued by coastguards last night after a fire broke out in the engine room of his vessel.

The man was sailing off the Kent coast when the blaze broke at 7.15pm last night and disabled the engine and electrics on his 25ft yacht, Delores.

He called for help and the Ramsgate all-weather lifeboat arrived at the scene within a few minutes.

The yachtsman, who lives aboard his vessel in Ipswich Marina, was towed to safety.