A FAMILY had to be rescued from a sinking motorboat in the Solent.

The 31-foot motor cruiser with two adults and two children aboard got into difficulties on Friday afternoon off East Cowes.

The family put out a Mayday call at 4.43pm just off the shoreline near Norris Castle.

Solent Coastguard scrambled its helicopter and coastguard rescue teams from Newport Isle of Wight and Bembridge.

The police launch was also sent to the scene as well as the Hamble Rescue lifeboat.

Colin Griffiths, watch manager at Solent Maritime Rescue co-ordination centre, said: "The four people on the cruiser were taken aboard a nearby rigid inflatable boat and then transferred to the police launch who took them to Newport where they were met by coastguard rescue officers.

"The cruiser sank very quickly in five metres of water, was then dragged into two metres of water by Hamble Lifeboat with the mast and the top of the deck house showing.

"The craft sank very quickly after its stern gland burst. The occupants were very lucky that help was close at hand."

The cruiser was recovered at low water.