LIFEGUARDS raced to rescue seven crew members of a boat sinking in the Solent.

Cowes and Calshot RNLI rushed to the Twin Wakes motorised catamaran after it was reported to be taking on water north of East Bramble Bouy.

The port hull was filling with water and flooding the engine compartment and the coastguard rescued all seven members of the crew.

All of those rescued were taken back to land by police while the boat was being towed to Cowes.

A coastguard spokesman declined to comment but said the operation was an "ongoing" incident.

A spokesman at the Cowes RNLI said the catamaran was a committee boat that was owned by the Royal Ocean Racing Club based in Cowes, and was going to be used at Cowes Week.

All seven of the crew members had been race officers from the club and it is currently unknown why the engine compartment began filling up with water.

The spokesman added: “It started to sink and they called a mayday, the passing police launch the Endeavour picked them up.

“We and Calshot attended and got our pumps on board and the pumps are barely keeping the water out.

"It is quite lumpy out there, it's windy and there is a stong tide."

Bembridge lifeboat has also gone to assist the stricken vessel as its large size and shape makes it difficult to tow it to Yacht Haven where it will be lifted out to the water to assess what happened.

All seven members of the crew have been taken to the racing clubhouse and were unhurt.