A SAILOR is back on dry land in Warrington after his seafaring adventures led to a dramatic helicopter rescue off the Canary Islands.

Mark Hughes, nicknamed Huggy, was caught in a storm with pet dog Sheila last month as he attempted to sail to the Caribbean.

His yacht, the Jessica May, lost its mast and the engine failed 30 miles south of Gran Canaria.

The 41-year-old made an SOS call and was picked up by Spain’s air and sea rescue service.

He then put on a life jacket and jumped in the sea holding Sheila, where they were winched to safety.

Huggy is now back at his Winwick home and has been reunited with family and friends while Sheila will spend the next six months in quarantine.

The former Navy engineer said: “I’m glad to be back but I’m sure it won’t be for long. I’m happy to see everyone but I’ve got the travelling bug and I want my freedom.”

His old boat has been repaired and sold on and Huggy plans to fly to the Whit Sunday Islands, in Australia to do some engineering work.

Huggy, who went to Culcheth High School, was working in Warrington as a welder when he made the decision four years ago to buy a boat, restore it and sail around the world. He has documented his travels with online videos on Youtube and is also writing a book called The Accidental Sailor.