Boat Goes Up in Flames on the Solent
A 38ft vessel caught fire in the East Solent this afternoon, sparking a dramatic rescue and emergency response.
Mayday Call Sparks Lifeboat Rescue
At around 3.20pm, the coastguard received a desperate MAYDAY call reporting a blaze in the boat’s engine room. Two people were on board and quickly evacuated by lifeboat crews. Thankfully, both are believed to be unharmed.
Fire Rages as Rescue Teams Arrive
Lifeboats from Bembridge and Gosport rushed to the scene, but the boat was already well alight. For safety reasons, crews did not attempt to fight the flames. Instead, the burning vessel was towed and anchored away from other boats.
A fire tug was dispatched by the Queen’s Harbour Master in Portsmouth to battle the inferno. Nearby vessels have been warned to steer clear of the area.
Emergency Services Team Up
- Bembridge RNLI All-Weather lifeboat and Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue (GAFIRS) led the rescue.
- Both passengers were safely recovered and are now recovering from their ordeal.
- Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue services also responded to the emergency.
At approximately 3.20pm today, HM Coastguard received a MAYDAY alert reporting a fire in the engine room of a vessel with two people on board in the East Solent,” confirmed a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson.
“Bembridge and Gosport lifeboats were dispatched, and both passengers were evacuated from the vessel before it was towed to an anchorage.”
The tense hour-long ordeal reminded all mariners of the dangers lurking even in familiar waters. Authorities continue investigating the cause of the fire.
