HM Coastguard has launched a search and rescue operation to find a sailor who is thought to have gone overboard from their boat off Bembridge.
A vessel has come ashore at Whitecliff Bay without any persons on board, sparking fears that the occupant – or occupants – may have ended up in the water.
Bembridge RNLI has launched both its All Weather and Inshore lifeboats with volunteer crewmen conducting a search of the area.
Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 has also been scrambled from its Lee-on-Solent base and is currently carrying out searches of the immediate area from the skies above.
Meanwhile, officers from Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team are on scene conducting further enquiries along the shore.
UPDATE @ 15:00 – Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat has been launched to assist with the ongoing search and rescue operation, alongside Selsey RNLI’s All Weather lifeboat.
HMS Blazer and Patrol Vessel Vigilant are also thought to be assisting HM Coastguard with the search.
Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat has relocated to The Camber in Portsmouth Harbour following what appears to be a transfer by Coastguard Rescue 175.
UPDATE @ 15:42 – Island Echo understands that the boat was spotted drifting, heading towards the shore, by a local dog walker who alerted Coastguard to the alarming situation shortly before 13:30.
The boat remains on the shore between Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park and Sandhills Holiday Park.
UPDATE @ 17:55 – It has been confirmed that a male was located in the water at 14:22 and rushed to The Camber in Portsmouth for onward conveyance to Queen Alexandra Hospital. An update on his condition is awaited.
A search of the local area for any other persons in difficulty has now concluded.
UPDATE @ 18:23 – It has been confirmed that the male who was located in the water has died.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/man-dies-after-going-overboard-from-fishing-vessel-off-bembridge/.
So sad, my thoughts are with this man’s family ;(