A LONE sailor was forced to call for help after struggling against gale force winds and 16-foot waves.

The yacht Golden Morn suffered engine failure just after midday on Thursday, November 5.

The 38-foot boat was 19 miles off Lizard Point and coastguards at Falmouth were notified. They in turn called for The Lizard lifeboat to help and intercept the yacht.

A spokeswoman for the RNLI lifeboat said the conditions were rough given the time of year.

"The lifeboat launched in near gale force winds with a rough sea," she said.

"The lifeboat crew intercepted the yacht 14 nautical miles east south east of Lizard Point."

"Once alongside the yacht, they passed the occupant a towline. The vessel was then towed to Port Pendennis Marina, Falmouth."

Video footage captured from the lifeboat's bridge shows the yacht pitching and rolling heavily in the swell as she was brought under control of the tow line.