A WESTCOUNTRY sailor caught up in an international security storm feared he wouldn't see his family "for a very long time" after being captured by the Iranian navy.

Olly Young, from Saltash, Cornwall, was part of the five-strong crew onboard the Kingdom of Bahrain yacht, which was seized after it allegedly entered Iranian waters illegally in November.

In an exclusive interview with the Western Morning News, Olly told of the spine- chilling moment his yacht was boarded by armed guards, when he was blindfolded and forced to spend several days "in limbo" on Sirri Island.

The crew had been heading for the start of the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, but their journey was plunged into uncertainty when the vessel was boarded.

Olly, 21, spent eight terrifying days imprisoned in army barracks while the Iranian government decided if the crew had "evil intentions".

He said: "We wanted to avoid the oil rigs in Sirri, so we took a slightly different route – it was then that we saw the navy.

"We thought we might be in trouble because, on board these two boats, we could see men carrying large guns.

"They came on board, seized our phones and blindfolded us.

"We couldn't speak their language and their English was very poor, so we had no idea what was going on.

"We just tried to stay calm – but it was difficult."

The drama sparked increased media focus on Iran, whose nuclear enrichment plans had been condemned by members of the international community.

Olly and fellow crew members Oliver Smith, a former University of Plymouth student, Luke Porter, from Weston-super- Mare, Bahrain-based radio presenter David Bloomer, and Sam Usher, from North Yorkshire, were twice told by guards they were free to go before the authorities changed their minds.

They eventually spent eight days in a small room with only two beds and blacked-out windows.

"We had no idea what was going on – it's a cliche, but it really was an emotional rollercoaster," Olly said. "There was so much uncertainty that at times I think we all worried about when we would see our family and friends again.

"At one stage we thought it wouldn't be for a very long time.

"We all did a lot of thinking during that time, but we didn't speak to each other about it because we wanted to stay positive."

Olly, a professional sailor and qualified boat-builder, said the prison guards were friendly and treated the crew very well throughout.

News of the crew's release, he added, was greeted with "leaps of joy".

He said: "The guards came in and told us we could go – we couldn't believe it. We were just so delighted."

On returning to the UK, the laid-back sailor told his family: "We've had a bit of a shocker, really."

Despite the experience, Olly has not been put off sailing and is planning his entry into the prestigious Round Britain and Ireland Race, which begins in Plymouth in June.

He and close friend Sam Goodchild will spend the next few months training off the south coast of England ahead of the two-week race.

Olly said: "Once you are bitten by the sailing bug, you live for it.

"Plymouth is one of the finest places to sail in the UK, so I am really hoping we can do the Westcountry proud.

"I am a local lad and I would love to fly the flag for the South West."

The duo are searching for local corporate sponsorship to help fund the costs. For more details, visit www.yogoracing. com.