A SAILOR was dramatically rescued by lifeboat crews after getting stranded in the Solent in stormy weather.

The man got into trouble in his dinghy off the coast of Gosport in Portsmouth Harbour in high winds and lashing rain.

Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) and Solent Coastguard arrived to find him desperately holding onto a yacht 200 yards from shore close to Hardway Sailing Club after losing his rowlocks in high winds.

The lifeboat crew arrived to help him back to a jetty on the shore.

They towed his dinghy back to meet Hillhead Mobile Coastguard team and ensured the man, who was wearing the correct safety equipment, was safe and well before returning to base at Stokes Bay, Gosport.

GAFIRS senior coxswain Chris Rudd who spearheaded the rescue at 6pm on Saturday [December 5], said: “It was extremely nasty weather when we launched the lifeboat, so it was good that we were able to get to the casualty quickly and return him safely to dry land with little fuss.”