Engine failure left a 10-metre cabin cruiser dangerously drifting in the main shipping channel in The Solent.

Four people were on board the vessel when it suffered difficulties near to Horse Sand Fort.

The skipper contacted the UK Coastguard to ask for assistance.

Volunteers with the independent Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) were paged and launched just after lunchtime on 21 March 2017.

Pictures: Three rescued from dismasted yacht in southern Indian Ocean

Commenting on the rescue, the Gosport independent lifeboat coxswain, Brian Pack, said: “We soon located the stricken vessel, which was drifting near much larger craft and placed a crewman on board.”

The cabin cruiser under tow. Credit: GAFIRS

“He discovered that the vessel had suffered a fuel leak which had caused it to lose power so we quickly rigged a towline and pulled the vessel to safety,” he explained.

GAFIRS towed the boat to Gosport Marina where it was placed safely alongside with the help of Hillhead Mobile Coastguard team.

Man saved from drifting out to sea in his dinghy

In total the operation lasted just over two hours and was the service’s 13th incident of the year.

GAFIRS is an independent lifeboat station based at Stokes Bay Gosport, run entirely by volunteers, on call to the Coastguard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Wreckage from fatal Irish Coast Guard helicopter crash found

Ireland's Air Accident Investigation Unit has confirmed its recovered wreckage from the helicopter's tail. Searches are continuing for the three…

Muddy rescue for Conwy RNLI after going to aid of grounded boat

Volunteers with Conwy RNLI were called out twice to help the vessel which had grounded on a large mud bank

Video: Teenager rescued from mud and quicksand at Morecombe

The 15-year-old boy was stuck in the mud and quicksand for more than two hours before he was saved by…