A 36ft racing yacht hit the Solent sandbank, the Brambles, in fresh south-westerly conditions and capsized after losing her keel last Sunday afternoon.

The Maxi 1100, Surlej, skippered by George Disoutter, was racing with a four-strong crew when she hit the shoal and her keel ‘sheared straight off’ according to a rescuer.

Mr Disoutter and his four crew, including two females, were pitched headlong into the swell and picked up by a passing RIB. The crew were then transferred to the Hamble Independent Lifeboat. A lifeboat crewman immediately radioed for a helicopter as two crew were in shock. they were airlifted to hospital.

The remaining crew were taken to Cowes.

The upturned yacht drifted down to Gilkicker Point before being towed into Portsmouth Harbour and lifted out at Royal Clarence Marina.

Photo: Pete7