AN AIR-SEA rescue helicopter had to be called when the skipper of a cabin cruiser slipped into a coma in the North Sea.

Margate lifeboat was called to the 58-ft Mara of Dore, 10 miles northeast of the town, at about 1pm on Saturday.

By the time the lifeboat reached the cruiser she had motored east to the South Falls - an area of shallower water almost in the Channel - to rendezvous with the helicopter.

Two crew were put on board to help with the rescue. The male skipper was slipping in and out of a diabetic coma and his wife had put out the Mayday call.

It was decided not to airlift the man, as he was becoming distressed by his condition, and a doctor was winched onto the boat, with lifeboat crewmen helping her descent by holding the line.

The lifeboat, a beach-launched Mersey class called the Leonard Kent, then escorted the Mara of Dore to Ramsgate harbour while the casualty was treated.

The cruiser was piloted by two lifeboat crewmen. The lifeboat returned to station at 5.45pm that afternoon.