Imagine setting out in this weather ...
 

From the BBC website tonight.

2152: Falmouth Coastguard say they are involved in the rescue of two French sailors on a sinking yacht 170 miles (273km) south-west of the Isles of Scilly. They have tried to divert merchant ships to the area but because of the "horrendous sea conditions" the ships are unable to help. Helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and one from RMB Chivenor are now en-route to attempt a rescue. More details as we get them.

God Speed.

Brave chaps good luck to them, the wind was forecast 75kts at 2000ft earlier today.

What was the result?

As a coordinated effort the rescue was a success:

Falmouth coastguards coordinate yachtsmen rescue in gale force winds (From Falmouth Packet)

:ok:

Both guys saved but by a passing merchant ship. Helicopter rescue turned out not to be feasible.

BBC News - Crew rescued from sinking boat off Isles of Scilly

Meanwhile, The Cornishman has a slightly different take on the mission:
RNAS Culdrose save pair stranded in French yacht | The Cornishman

Deploy the rescue swimmer!
 

Was it too rough to make use of the SAR diver?

The MCA has a press release about it.

PLANES, HELICOPTERS AND SHIPS INVOLVED IN RESCUE OF FRENCH YACHT CREW 170 MILES OFF SCILLY ISLES

Brilliant effort - well done all. And a Happy Christmas to all the SAR crews

unbelievable. Nearly an hour on station trying to winch, on the limit of endurance. Monumental effort.

Just amazes me that people end up in this position time and time again, needing others to risk their lives to save theirs.

We should be grateful that the French still have Maritime Reconaissance Aircraft to assist them in finding the boat and to provide safety cover for them now that the UK no longer has any.

Safety cover
 

Sorry fly in this kind of condition regularly, what do you need top cover for? They can't do anything. Helo radar is better than most fixed wing.

Safety Cover
 

Safety cover/Top Cover can't do anything?
Apart from acting as a comms relay if reqd, keeping eyes
on you if you ditch, deploying air droppable liferafts, acting
as on scene commander and staying on station during protracted
searches, and actually helping with the search.
Proper Top Cover as provided by the Nimrod was invaluable, and it's criminal
that we don't have a replacement that is as capable.

Oh, they also take photos of us out at long range showing how
brave we all are :)