THREE sailors from the Southampton area have been airlifted to safety after sending a dramatic text message from their racing yacht which capsized in a severe gale off the Isle of Wight.

John Fisher and John Hanson, both 32, and Duncan Barr, 34, were returning to Southampton after competing in the Cowes to St Vaast race when a storm blew up and a violent gust overturned their 34-foot trimaran Shockwave.

The accident happened ten miles south-west of St Catherine's Point just before 5pm.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "It was pretty lumpy out there at the time and the wind was gusting to Force nine."

Mr Barr explained that they were unable to use their VHF radio because it was out of action so they tried to called the Coastguard on Mr Fisher's mobile phone.

He said: "Unfortunately John's phone has been damaged by water and we couldn't make outgoing calls or take incoming calls.

"We tried calling 999 but the phone kept cutting out.

"In the end, John sent a text to his dad saying, 'We have capsized ten miles south west of the Nab Tower. All well. Call coastguard. This is no joke'.

"We chose John's father because we knew he would be calm and do what was necessary."

Mr Fisher senior, who lives in Totton, then dialled 999 and the Coastguard helicopter was scrambled from Lee-on-the-Solent.

Bembridge lifeboat also went out to the stricken trimaran.

Shockwave was towed back to the Isle of Wight and was not believed to have been seriously damaged.

Mr Barr said: "The coastguards were brilliant.

"They had us out of the water in about an hour.

"It was a huge relief to be winched out. Thank God the text messaging worked.

"Luckily we are all experienced sailors and were wearing the correct survival gear, so we were unharmed and not too cold."

Solent Coastguard watch officer Dave Carnson said: "It is the first time I have been involved in a rescue after a racing team alerted us by a text message.

"It is not something we would recommend as mobile phone coverage is not designed for maritime use, but I understand they couldn't use their VHF radio."