A search is underway for a missing person who boarded the Isle of Wight ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth on Monday evening.

The alarm was raised by the master of the ferry just after 7:00 p.m. Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the Yarmouth all weather RNLI lifeboat and the Lymington inshore RNLI lifeboat. Coastguard Rescue helicopter ‘Victor Alpha’ was scrambled to the scene.

Bungy Williamson, Solent Watch Manager, says:
“The two lifeboats have carried out an intensive search of the area; bad weather has hampered the search. We believe the casualty to have boarded the 5:45 p.m. ferry at Lymington.

The weather conditions on scene were initially very good with moderate seas and good visibility with winds force 4 – 5; however at 9:00 p.m. the weather deteriorated with heavy squalls hampering the search.”

It is understood that the search was inconculsive and the matter has been handed over to Hampshire police.