A lifeboat crew pulled off a dramatic rescue when a lone sailor was blown off course on to Mersea Flats.
The man was sailing alone on a 20ft yacht when the weather turned nasty.
His craft was caught in a strong flood tide and a south south westerly wind, which is believed to have a gusting force of eight.
As he attempted to return to Tollesbury, the boat was blown on to the flats where it became stuck.
A spokesman for West Mersea lifeboat said: "Due to difficult conditions of very shallow water and a strong wind, a technique called veering down was used.
"This method of recovery involves the lifeboat anchoring in deeper water and manouvering backwards into the dangerous shallows towards the stricken yacht.
She added: "The rescue was successful and the boat was safely towed back to Tollesbury."
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