FEARS OVER VESSEL ADRIFT OFF THE ISLE OF WIGHT SEES HELICOPTER AND LIFEBOAT SCRAMBLED

Fears that persons may have been in distress off the Isle of Wight led to the scrambling of the Coastguard Rescue helicopter and Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat this evening (Thursday). HM Coastguard received a report at just before 20:00 of a 3m white hulled vessel adrift approximately 10 nautical miles south of the Island. Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent was scrambled to the area, with Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat also tasked. The vessel was soon located and it was confirmed there were no signs of recent occupancy. HM Coastguard says that it is likely that it is a small tender that has broken free. The lifeboat is currently taking the vessel back to Yarmouth Harbour.