- throwing its two passengers overboard before crashing into rocks.

Young children and their families enjoying the Cup Match holiday watched in horror as the empty 12 foot boat hurtled just yards from where they were playing in the sea at Mangrove Bay in Somerset.

The boat's owner Scott Lines, who is managing director of Lines Overseas Management, was in the boat with friend Lori Eddy at about 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Last night he spoke to The Royal Gazette from England, where he is visiting with his wife and two children.

He said the steering wheel of the jet-powered boat jammed as he tried to turn the vessel around about 300 yards from the shore, throwing them into the ocean.

"I am just very grateful that no one was injured,'' said the 35-year-old.

"We were jerked into the water, but neither of us was hurt.

"When I came up to the surface, I saw the boat was still going on its own and I thought `please, please don't hit anyone'.

"I was just so thankful that nobody else was hurt. I was very relieved.'' Mr. Lines, an experienced sailor, said he only bought the $26,000 boat a month ago.

Boat crashes on busy beach He said it suffered damage to its hull as it hit the rocks, but said he would not be sure of the repair costs until the final assessment had been carried out.

However, Mr. Lines may have to bear the cost of the damage himself. Last night, he said he was not even sure if the boat was insured.

After the vessel smashed into the rocks, some eye witnesses swam across to the boat to see if anyone was hurt, but were relieved to find the boat had been empty.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lines and Ms Eddy were rescued by friends who were nearby with a boat. They were able to tow their vessel back to shore.

Ms Eddy last night said she did not want to talk about the incident.

Mr. Lines added: "I think you could say that it put a bit of a dampener on the day.''