“A very lucky escape” Yacht’s skipper swims 30 minutes to reach dry land after being knocked overboard off Fife coast

A yacht’s skipper has cheated death after being thrown overboard during a dramatic incident off the Fife coast.

The man was knocked from his yacht while trying to lower his sails while being buffeted by strong winds.

He then managed to compose himself and swim for 30 minutes before reaching Inchkeith Island, from where he was able to flag down a passing pilot boat.

The stricken yachtsman was then taken to Burntisland harbour where the coastguard was alerted.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the unmanned yacht was circling near Seal Carr rock, as the engine was still in gear.

It soon ran aground on the north-west tip of Inchkeith Island.

The volunteer crew were then able to board the yacht to stop its engine and lower the sails before towing it back to Burntisland harbour.

Crew member Mel McGarva said: “The yacht’s owner had a very lucky escape.

“If he wasn’t wearing a life-jacket he may not have survived.”

The man at the centre of the drama which unfolded on Friday afternoon is described as being from the Dalgety Bay area.

He was checked over by an ambulance crew but escaped injury.

* For more on this dramatic story see Monday’s Courier or try our digital edition.