Solent Lifeboat Rescue volunteers raced to the blaze off Gilkicker on Saturday but found the skipper had already been pulled from the water. The incident saw the skipper rescued by a passing boatA Solent Lifeboat Rescue spokesperson said: "On arrival, the lone casualty had already been rescued from the water by a passing motor cruiser." "Hamble Lifeboat also attended , helping to establish a safety cordon around the burning vessel." The dramatic rescue came after the boat caught fire shortly after midday, sending a huge plume of black smoke high into the sky that was visible across the Solent . Around 20 firefighters, supported by HM Coastguard, extinguished the blaze which fully destroyed the boat , with no injuries reported.