LIFEBOATS were launched to rescue a sinking catamaran in Poole Bay on Saturday.

The 30 foot vessel, with one person aboard, began taking on water off the Christchurch ledges, east of Boscombe, at around 10.20am, and the Mudeford, Poole lifeboats and the Swanage all weather boat were dispatched to assist.

Crews used a salvage pump to reduce the water level so that the boat could be towed safely to shore, while the man aboard was checked over.

A spokesman for Poole lifeboat volunteers said: "The crew checked that the man was okay and looked for an ingress but nothing untoward was initially found.

"A tow line was attached by the Mudeford Inshore lifeboat crew, who then towed the stricken vessel into Mudeford Harbour. Poole Inshore lifeboat stood by, and the catamaran was then beached safely upon the sand."

The coastguard helicopter was also dispatched to the scene.