UPDATED: AIR-SEA RESCUE UNDERWAY FOR ‘PERSON IN DIFFICULTY’ OFF ST CATHERINE’S

HM Coastguard has launched a search and rescue operation for a potential person in difficulty off St Catherine’s Point this afternoon (Tuesday). Ventnor and The Needles Coastguard Rescue Teams have taken up position on the cliff tops and along the beaches at the most Southerly point of the Island in the hope of locating the potential casualty. It was reported that a person was seen to be in difficulty in the water at around 12:20. Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent is conducting a sweep of the coast from the skies above, whilst Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat battles choppy conditions on the seas. UPDATE – The search has now been stood down, with the incident being treated as a false alarm with good intent.