AN major air and sea rescue operation was launched in the Solent today.

Solent Coastgguard launched a helicopter after receiving a 999 phone call from the five-man crew of a boat who could not provide their position which was taking on water.

Lifeboats from Gosport, Hamble and Ryde, along with the Portsmouth RNLI lifeboat conducted a search through the central Solent.

It was only when the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Lee-on-the-Solent was spotted by the crew of the vessel that aid could reach the boat.

Everyone onboard were transferred to Hamble lifeboat where paramedics carried out medical assessments and they were taken to Lee-on-Solent.

Operations officer Steve Mann UK Coastguard said: “If you’re going out to sea, make sure you’re properly prepared and that you have some way of being located if you get into difficulty."

“VHF DSC sets are readily available. When you use them, we can then pinpoint your location and get to you more quickly.”