Stephen Elton, whose Joan of Ark vessel was moored at Hartlepool Marina, was sailing alone on Sunday night when high winds and waves dragged him onto rocks at the foot of the cliffs at Boulby, east Cleveland.

A mayday signal was sent by Mr Elton, but because of the location of the boat the signal was weak and the Humber coastgaurd had to call the Redcar and Staithes lifeboats for assistance.

By the time the Joan of Ark was eventually found almost two hours later, Mr Elton had lost consciousness.

And as the lifeboats were unable to get through waves up to 10ft high to come to his aid, a Sea King helicopter was scrambled from RAF Leconfield, near Hull, to airlift him to hospital.

Just moments after he was lifted onto the helicopter, the boat smashed into the rocks and broke up.

Mark Ellis, watch officer for the Humber coastguard said he was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough at 8pm on Sunday where he regained consciousness.

He said the injuries suffered were broken bones in his hand, and he had a swollen mouth.

Coastguard Bernie Cother said Mr Elton was a very lucky man: ''Within a couple of minutes of him being winched up, his yacht broke up."

Mr Elton, 50, bought the Joan of Ark three years ago and has spent time restoring the vessel in Hartlepool Marina.

He lives in Framwellgate Moor, in Durham, and works for Deutsche Bank as a computer consultant.