Two people rescued after motor boat bursts into flames off the Isle of Wight as thick black smoke is seen for miles across the sea

• Bembridge RNLI rushed to rescue two people and brought them back to shore 
• Local described seeing ‘big ball of flames’ before boat vanished underwater

Two people have been rescued after a boat caught fire in the Isle of Wight today. 

Thick clouds of black smoke could be seen coming from the motor boat, which was drifting along the water.

Bright orange flames ripped through the tiny vessel as it floated off the shore of Ventnor, a town located on the south coast of the island. 

Lifeboats and a coastguard rescue helicopter responded to a mayday call received from the boat, named Peroni, at 10.20 this morning. 

Bembridge RNLI rushed to the craft to rescue two people stranded onboard and brought them back to shore. 

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said those onboard were ‘all accounted for and safe’.

A local resident, who lives in Upper Bonchurch, watched the vessel through their binoculars.

They told the Isle of Wight County Press that they saw a ‘big ball of flames’ before the boat vanished underwater.

Thick clouds of black smoke could be seen coming from the motor boat, which was drifting along the water 

Bright orange flames ripped through the tiny vessel as it floated off the shore of Ventnor, the south coast of the island

Multiple emergency calls were also made by people who witnessed the fire from the coast.

Crew from Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat said they stayed with the boat to observe the blaze and debris from the craft. 

The organisation took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: ‘Called out this morning to the motor vessel Peroni, that caught fire in Sandown Bay, Casualties are safe and picked up by @BembridgeRNLI, and we are standing by to monitor the fire and debris.’

The craft drifted for several miles before it eventually sank. 

A Maritime and Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘Two people have been rescued after the vessel it caught on fire. HM Coastguard coordinated the response after receiving a Mayday from the boat which was just off Ventnor, Isle of Wight.

‘Both RNLI lifeboats from Bembridge were sent along with Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Sandown Independent Lifeboat. 

‘The HM Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent was also sent but stood down once it was confirmed those on board the vessel were all accounted for and safe.

‘The vessel has now sunk.’

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