The captain of the dismasted Polish tall ship which was towed into Falmouth this morning, said it was a freak winds which did the damage.

The vessel, the Fryderyk Chopin lost both its masts about 100 miles south west of the Isles of Scilly on Friday.

On board were 36 14-year-olds. This morning the youngsters were brought ashore but keen to continue their voyage once repairs have been carried out.

Captain Ziemowit Baranski said the ship was built to sail around the world and should have been able to withstand the gale-force winds but a freak gust had caused the disaster.

The teenagers are expected to spend the next few nights in a hostel. All are in good spirits. They had been confined to below deck after the first mast had broken off. Only adults were allowed on deck. Life on board went on as normal pending the tow to Falmouth.

The ship is owned by the European School of Law and Administration, a private university based in Poland.

Today, the dismasted vessel was somewhat of a tourist attraction as she was tied up to a buoy off Trefusis Point.