The crew of the LÉ James Joyce have rescued a man from a yacht off the coast of Cork this evening.

The vessel was taking on water in difficult sea conditions, 16 nautical miles southeast of Roches Point.

The Irish naval vessel was on a a routine patrol when a request for assistance was made from Mine Head Coast Guard Station at 4.20pm.

Once on the scene, the LÉ James Joyce launched a rigid hull inflatable boat and rescued an Irish national from the yacht.

The man was subsequently winched to the Waterford-based Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter.

He was then airlifted to Cork.