A yacht had to be towed to safety after it took on water in the Blackwater Estuary near Mersea yesterday.

Thames Coastguard received a Mayday call from a yacht called ‘Millie’ around 10.45am on Saturday. The vessel, which had one person on board, was beached on the north bank of the Blackwater and was taking on water.

The West Mersea RNLI Lifeboat and Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team were dispatched while other vessels in the area assisted by keeping eyes on the yacht until they arrived.

The rescue crews worked to pump water out of Millie, before towing her to Mersea. The rescued individual was unharmed.