The discovery of a life raft on a South Wight beach led to a search operation earlier on today (Wednesday).
Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were mobilised to the Whale Chine area at just gone 16:30 following reports that a life raft had been found on the beach in a deployed state.
The assistance of The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team and Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat was soon requested and a search began by utilising a rope rescue kit as access to the beach was challenging.
Details of the lift raft – which is thought to have been in situ for a couple of days – were obtained and passed to the National Maritime Operations Center (NMOC).
With no new information and no life at risk the search was stood down.
Ensure you report any items that wash ashore to the coastguard on 999.
