Three people on a yacht from Dublin were today rescued by colleagues from the same club in the Irish Sea after sending out a mayday.
The Megawattsent out the alert at around 11.54am and it was picked up by members of Belfast coastguard.
The boat had sustained rudder damage and was taking in water.
A helicopter from RAF Valley in Holyhead and Newcastle, Co Down, lifeboat were launched in a rescue operation and other yachts and a cruise liner also came to their aid.
It is believed the three people on the yacht came from a club in Howth, Co Dublin, and were picked up by fellow club members on their yacht, the Quite Correct.
The Megawattyacht sank after the rescue.
The Coastguard said the crew were safe and well and were heading to Bangor in Northern Ireland to get ashore following the drama.