AN 'apologetic' man who was swimming out to a moored cruise ship has been rescued by a jet ski company.

Yesterday, a man was reported as missing after entering the water in Weymouth Bay by his friends who called 999.

Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team and Weymouth Lifeboats RNLI volunteers were called to help find the man, who was trying to swim to one of the moored cruise ships in the bay.

While covering an event, a staff member of jet ski company Jurassic Jet Ski Tours Ltd spotted the swimmer, who was outside the four knot buoys and heading further out to sea.

They stopped him and he climbed onto the jet ski's rescue sled and was taken to shore.

Staff said they believed he was under the influence of alcohol.

A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard said: "Solent Coastguard tasked the team along with both Weymouth Lifeboats after a swimmer was reported missing by friends after they dialled 999 and asked for the coastguard.

"He had entered the water aiming to swim to one of the moored cruise ships in Weymouth Bay.

"Fortunately for the swimmer, Jurassic Jetski Tours Ltd were providing safety cover for an event in Weymouth Bay. One of the ski's spotted splashes offshore in the evening sun light. A swimmer was identified and kept under observation for a short while whilst the event concluded.

"With the swimmer now well outside the four knot buoys and still swimming away from shore, he was intercepted.

"After a short discussion about his position and the likely outcome if he continued his course of action he was persuaded to climb onto the ski's rescue sled. He was taken ashore to be met by team members and given safety advice.

"Once it was established this was the reported casualty the lifeboats were stood down. Both he and his friends were very grateful and apologetic."