HM Coastguard has launched a major search and rescue operation off the South Coast of the Isle of Wight this evening (Wednesday) following the discovery of a kite surf board, with fears an individual may be in trouble at sea.
Bembridge RNLI, Yarmouth RNLI and Coastguard Rescue 175 have been scrambled alongside Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ventnor and The Needles, to the Chale area.
It comes following the discovery of a kite surf board earlier today which has not been attributed to anyone, sparking fears that someone may be in peril.
Solent Coastguard is appealing for any information relating to this equipment – do you know who owns it, is it yours? Anyone with any information is asked to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, or call 02392 552100 quoting Incident number 508223.
UPDATE @ 19:42 – The search is well underway with the Coastguard Rescue helicopter conducting a leg search up and down the coast off Military Road.
Bembridge Lifeboat has arrived at St Catherine’s Point to begin its search, with Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat also at sea to the west of The Needles.
UPDATE @ 20:02 – The search has been stood down as a result of the owner being successfully traced and confirmed as safe and well.
HM Coastguard have thanked everyone who shared this appeal.
UPDATE @ 22:00 – Bembridge RNLI have tonight added:
“Bembridge RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat, RNLB Alfred Albert Williams was launched this evening to assist in the search for a possible missing kite surfer.
“RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched at around 7pm this evening at the request of UK (Solent) Coastguard to assist in the search for a possible missing kite surfer after two unaccounted kite boards had been found earlier in the day in the vicinity of Chilerton Chine.
“Yarmouth RNLI’s Severn Class All-Weather lifeboat (RNLB Eric & Susan Hiscock) and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 were also tasked.
“The Alfred Albert Williams made good time to the designated search area to the west of St Catherine’s Point in the SW Force 4 breeze and had just started to search when it was announced that the owner of the kite boards had phoned from Brittany having seen a picture of the boards on Social Media.
“Apparently they had been missing for two weeks!
“The search was therefore called off and the Alfred Albert Williams returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 8.45pm.”
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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Let’s hope whoever is found soon & ok
This person should have phoned the coastguard two weeks ago and told them he’d lost them as well as sent photos. Coastguard would have then not wasted a lot of time. This country
Should make them register the boards. Can’t have lost property triggering this level of s and r.