The single word MAYDAY was transmitted on VHF channel 16 from an initially unidentified source at 7.12pm last night.

Portland Coastguard immediately responded and attempted to make contact with the transmitting station.

Shortly after Poole Harbour Control informed the operations room that the 38ft Ketch New Lease, with four crew on board (three male, one female), was taking water and sinking in Poole Harbour.

Poole RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB), already afloat nearby responding to a previous incident, proceeded to the new emergency immediately.

A coastguard spokesman said: ‘Quickly on scene the lifeboat crew were able to board the casualty vessel, stem the water intake and stabilise the situation very rapidly.

‘The ILB then escorted the casualty back to a safe berth alongside, where Poole Coastguard Rescue Officers confirmed that both vessel and occupants were safe.’

Picture: An aerial view of Poole Harbour. Credit: Sue Sieger