Two Irish yachtsmen were rescued yesterday after the engine of their boat failed eight miles off Holyhead, Wales, and they drifted into the path of a fast-moving passenger ferry.
Coastguard officials said the men were on board the 33ft two-masted Tudor Rose on a return journey from Holyhead. A coastguard official said the owner of the boat was Mr Mike Pern, of Sutton, Dublin.
They radioed for help at about 2 p.m. but quickly drifted into the path of the Jonathan Swift SeaCat passenger ferry, which was travelling at nearly 40 knots.
"The men realised they were very close to the SeaCat and began feeling unwell because it was very rough out there," Holyhead coastguard said. "It must have been frightening for them."
The coastguard sent its all-weather lifeboat out to the men and spent three hours bringing the yacht back to shore.