A fisherman's been rescued after his boat sank south of the Isle of Wight.

At 2.40pm (Sunday) Solent Coastguard was contacted by a man of a small angling boat reporting that he was taking on water and would abandon the vessel to a life raft.

Solent Coastguard scrambled the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and requested the launch of Yarmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat. Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were also called out.

The angler launched a red flare as he abandoned the vessel, which was spotted by the offshore patrol vessel Port Of Spain. The Port Of Spain launched a fast response craft and picked up the casualty from the life raft who was uninjured and suffering from shock. The man, who is from Lee On Solent, was transferred to Portsmouth. The 25 foot angling boat has sunk.

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager, Dave Williams said, "This man helped to bring about his own speedy rescue by being well prepared for his trip. He had a VHF radio, the right kit including life raft, emergency flares and he was able to give the Coastguard an accurate position."

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