The RNLI is towing a lone sailor to safety this afternoon after his vessel had mechanical difficulties in stormy winds off Cork early this morning.

The alarm was raised just before 8am when the sailor reported his vessel was in difficulty some

45 miles off the West Cork coast.

The Castletownbere lifeboat was launched around 8am and reached the stricken vessel around 11am.

Despite strong force four to five winds and heavy seas, the lifeboat crew managed to establish a tow quickly and are on their way with the vessel to Castletownbere.

Weather and sea conditions are however affecting the speed of the tow.

The sailor had departed from the Azores.