Plumes of thick black smoke are visible across the Solent this afternoon (Saturday) after a major fire broke out aboard a pleasure craft north of Ryde.
Emergency crews, including Solent Rescue 1, Hamble Lifeboat and on-land fire appliances, have been dispatched to the stationary vessel near Gilkicker Fort off the coast of Gosport.
Huge plumes of black smoke can be seen at several seafront locations across the Island, with the vessel most clearly visible from Ryde Esplanade.
The vessel, which is understood to be a Windy 37 Shamal, a high-performance luxury sports cruiser appears to have been taken into shallow water near Gilkicker Fort to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze from land, with fire appliances unable to reach it while afloat.
Plumes of black smoke have since turned white over Gilkicker Point, as crews continue their efforts to bring the fire under control.
It is not yet known whether anyone was on board at the time of the fire, or if there have been any injuries.
Watch along here.
