A sailboat heading out from the Island and bound for St Martin in the Caribbean had to call for assistance at about 1.40pm today after quickly taking on water.

According to Bermuda Maritime Operations, the 32-foot vessel Zephyr made a distress call from just east of Town Cut, St George’s, and northeast of Paget Island, after water began to flood the interior of the cabin.

The one person on board was advised to put on a life jacket and the pilot boat St David was sent.

Strong northerly winds complicated the rescue, but the Zephyr initially proceeded back to port on its own, before being towed to St George’s Harbour.

Shortly before 3pm, the vessel was moored safely at Ordnance Island, Bermuda Maritime Operations reported.