SHEPPEY lifeboat crews rescued a sailor and his sinking yacht after it became wedged under Kingsferry Bridge early today. Norman Whitfield, 64, was in danger of drowning as the spring tide quickly rose under the 33-ft vessel just after midnight.

Robin Castle, coxwain of Sheerness lifeboat station, said: "The yacht was laying well over with its mast trapped under the span of the bridge. He could have drowned. The spring tide was running at about six knots under the bridge. As it rose it would have caused the yacht to keel over and it probably would have sunk or the mast would have snapped off."

Crewmen aboard the offshore lifeboat attached a tow line to the yacht and staff at the Kingsferry Bridge control room raised the bridge span so that Mr Whitfield's yacht could be freed. The yacht, which had taken on water and had mast and propeller damage, was towed to Crundalls Wharf, Quenborough, where lifeboat staff pumped it out. Mr Whitfield, of Ingram Road, Gillingham, was unhurt.

The lifeboat crews were called by Thames Coastguard who were alerted about the incident by Medway Ports officials.

Coastguard watch officer Frank Aubin-Hart said staff at the bridge had contacted Medway Ports when the yacht, which was travelling to Dover, became jammed.

Mr Aubin-Hart said Mr Whitfield, who was wearing a lifejacket, was much safer staying with this craft, although the incident was dangerous. He could have drowned had he jumped in the water.

A spokesman for Railtrack, who is responsible for the bridge, said a Railtrack manager had been called to the incident. The bridge had not been damaged.

He said Mr Whitfield had signalled to bridge staff to raise the span, but it appeared the yacht had been carried under the bridge by the spring tide before operators could raise it.