LIFEBOATMEN, coastguards and the RAF sped into action after receiving reports of a boat sinking off the Suffolk coast.The Sweet Promise, a 32-ft yacht with one man on board, broadcast a Mayday distress signal at around 7.

LIFEBOATMEN, coastguards and the RAF sped into action after receiving reports of a boat sinking off the Suffolk coast.

The Sweet Promise, a 32-ft yacht with one man on board, broadcast a Mayday distress signal at around 7.30pm last night while it was 17 miles from the shore at Felixstowe.

The sailor said that the yacht was taking on water and was sinking.

Thames Coastguard, based at Walton on the Naze, alerted the Harwich RNLI lifeboat crew who launched from the port just 10 minutes later.

Meanwhile a Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham was also scrambled to the boat's aid.

At about 8.50pm last night Rod Shaw, of Harwich Lifeboat, said the situation was under control and hopefully the yacht could be saved and towed to shore.

He said that at around 8.45pm a lifeboatman made it onto the Sweet Promise to assist the sailor while the helicopter hovered overhead ready to winch them to safety if the boat sank.

See tonight's Evening Star for more on this story.