An elderly man's life was saved this afternoon by his lifejacket after he fell from his yacht in to the water at Pembroke Ferry, on the Irish Sea.

Milford Haven coastguard was called at just after 4pm by the father of a 10 year old boy who had heard the elderly man calling for help. Milford Haven coastguard sent St. Govans Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance to the scene.

When help reached him it transpired that the elderly man was trying to repair his pennant mooring when he fell backwards in to the water. His lifejacket inflated but although he was 100 metres from the shore he wasn't a strong enough swimmer to swim against the tide back to the boat. He was in the water for around 30 minutes before the tide carried him in and he managed to scramble ashore.

Nigel Yelland, Watch Manager at Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said:
"The MCA recommends that recreational sailors should wear lifejackets at all times while on deck and this afternoon's accident is a perfect example of why. Without a lifejacket this elderly gentleman is unlikely to have managed to keep his head above water for half an hour.

"I'd like to thank the caller and his son for both alerting us and racing to the rescue."