by Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

Two sailors were airlifted to safety yesterday after a 30ft cruiser was battered by gale force winds.

The pair were recovered by a Coastguard helicopter after lifeboats were unable to reach the boat on the River Medway.

Severe force eight gusts had forced the cruiser to break down between Thamesport container terminal and Bees Ness jetty.

The stricken boat was eventually found on Stoke marsh.

RNLI Sheerness all weather lifeboat had been called out at 5.02pm.

But shallow water meant the lifeboat and a smaller inflatible XP class boat couldn't reach the vessel.

The duo landed at Gillingham to be met by Medway Coastguards.