THE coastguard has urged people to check weather conditions before going out to sea in boats after three competitors in an open sea race had to be rescued.

The three yachts were taking part in the Whitby to Scarborough race yesterday morning when they each got into distress.

The Humber Coastguard reported that it received a mayday call made by the crew of the Martina, at 8.11am, who reported that they had suffered engine failure in a strong sea.

The RNLI lifeboat based at Scarborough was dispatched to go to their assistance.

A short time later the crew of a yacht called Shameless made a 999 call to the coastguard to report that they had a man overboard and were holding on to him at the stern of the vessel.

A helicopter and a lifeboat from Whitby were scrambled to help the man in the water and he was taken to hospital suffering from mild hypothermia.

While those rescues were being carried out, a third yacht, Bandit, made a distress call after losing power and struggling in the strong swell. They were towed back to shore by a lifeboat.

Lynda Bell, watch officer at Humber Coastguard said: "Fortunately, the man who had gone overboard from his yacht was wearing a lifejacket and his colleagues were able to save him.

"If you are undertaking any activity, ensure that your equipment is well found, that you assess the activity and check the weather before venturing out."