A LIFEBOAT was called out to rescue a 31ft catamaran in the Solent.

The catamaran got into difficulties off Ventnor on the Isle of Wight at about 7.30pm last night.

The Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) were called in to help take the boat to safety by the UK Coastguard, and the Joan Dora Fuller lifeboat rendezvoused with an RNLI craft at about 10pm at No Man's Land Fort.

The lifeboat was then able to tow the catamaran, which had left Dartford earlier in the day before its engine failed, to safety in Gosport Marina.

GAFIRS coxswain Brian Pack said: "We placed a crewman on board the casualty vessel and rigged a tow line. The catamaran was tricky to tow, though, as it had a problem with its steerage."