A ferryman helped to rescue eight people stranded on board a yacht which ran aground off the Felixstowe coastline yesterday.

Ipswich Star: Calypso managed to stay afloat after getting high but definitely not dry on the sandbanks at Old Felixstowe. Picture: Linda BoheaCalypso managed to stay afloat after getting high but definitely not dry on the sandbanks at Old Felixstowe. Picture: Linda Bohea (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

The yacht, Calypso, got caught on an offshore sandbank in the late afternoon.

John Barber, who runs the Bawdsey to Felixstowe Ferry boat service, went to the ship’s aid.

The crews managed to set up a tow line and pull the stranded yacht free within an hour, before being towed to a mooring.

No-one was injured in the rescue operation.

Mr Barber said: “It is quite a regular occurrence here.

“I’m always happy to help a fellow sailor who gets stuck, I end up doing it all of the time.”