Simon Cowell saved nine people from a sinking ship this week.

No, this has nothing to do with any staff changes at "X Factor."

Cowell was on his yacht with his ex-girlfriend in St. Tropez when someone on board heard a distress call from a nearby, smaller vessel.

Simon ordered his captain to locate the boat that was sinking. The captain found the 35-foot boat, and rescued nine people. Cowell's crew plugged the hole and saved the boat as well.

Then he lined them all up and very bluntly told them what was wrong with their boat.

Contact Tony Hicks at thicks@bayareanewsgroups .com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks.