A LAND, air and sea search was carried out earlier today after a stolen yacht collided with a jetty.

Both RNLA Calshot Calshot's all weather and inshore lifeboats were launched at 2.24am after the vessel was reported to have collided with BP's jetty, in Southampton Water, near Hamble, and distress signals sighted.

The 23-foot Hunter Sonata, believed to be from Warsash Sailing Club, was then found adrift with no-one on board.

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Solent Coastguard then co-ordinated an extensive search of the area with the Harbourmaster launch, Police and RNLI Calshot lifeboat crews.

After three hours no-body was found and the search was stood down. The owner of the yacht said the boat had been stolen.

But a burnt out dinghy was found nearby on shore with a number of flares that had been fired.