Cruiser sinks in Southampton Water

The Coastguard were called to a blaze aboard a 35-40ft vessel out at sea.

Two people were left stranded on board the boat, but were saved by another ship in the area and Southampton patrol.

The fire ravaged through the boat after starting at about 2.15pm on Wednesday, with smoke bellowing across the water.

In some of the images the Red Funnel ferry, which takes locals between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, can be seen towering over the fire below it.

A patrol ship used a water canon to try and extinguish the blaze but it appears these attempts were in vain, as the ship began to sink earlier this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said it was unsure of the extent of the fire but that the ship had sunk.