Updated 12.54pm with video

A man was carried out to sea by a strong wave off St Julian's early on Wednesday and needed to be rescued by helicopter.

The incident happened at about 3am off the Cavalieri Hotel when the man somehow found himself in the sea.

Policemen and rescuers from the Civil Protection Department could not pull him to shore because of strong waves. The AFM deployed a rescue boat and a helicopter and he was eventually hoisted on board the helicopter.

The man is reported to be in good health but is being checked at Mater Dei Hospital.

The Gozo-based Emergency Response Rescue Corps warned swimmers to stay away from a number of bays. 

“Strong north-easterly winds will affect mostly Marsalforn bay, Ramla bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien and other Gozitan bays including Dahlet Qorrot and San Blas bay, together with Santa Marija bay in Comino," the ERRC said. 

One of the boats in Xemxija that bore the brunt of the rough waves. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Boats damaged

The strong east-north-easterly wind also damaged some boats which slipped their moorings and drifted to the rocks, particularly in Xemxija, late on Tuesday and overnight. 

Virtu Ferries cancelled its crossing from Sicily and the Gozo ferries have been using the Paradise Bay quay.

Two cruise ships could not enter Grand Harbour and were diverted to Cagliari and Palermo. Their Maltese passengers will be brought to Malta on aircraft.

The strong waves also washed away the remaining recently-replenished sand at Balluta Bay. In Sliema, waves crashed over the seafront promenade at the 'ferries' flooding the street.

The Red Cross and the ERRC have warned swimmers to stay away from beaches in the East North East of Malta and Gozo.

The rough sea has washed away the sand at Balluta Bay.