Fears a passenger had gone overboard on the Red Funnel car ferry prompted a multi-agency emergency response during the early hours of this morning (Saturday).
Shortly before 02:00, The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team, Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter, Cowes RNLI and Police were all scrambled to East Cowes following reports of an unaccounted for passenger.
Thankfully, after reviewing CCTV images at the Red Funnel car ferry terminal it was deemed enough intelligence had been gathered to safely assume the missing passenger made it ashore after docking.
The search was stood down, although Police enquires continue.
Tom Wyeth, Station Officer of The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team has said:
“The passenger [aged in his 30s] was quite heavily intoxicated and had been sick several times on board the ferry. Staff were concerned for his welfare after he wandered off and couldn’t be found, nor had anyone witnessed him disembark the ferry at East Cowes.
“After trawling through CCTV footage of the crossing, it appears he befriended 2 people who gave him a lift off the ferry. Although the CCTV doesn’t show him getting into a car, he walked towards the cars and we are 99% certain he got in one.”
Emergency teams returned to station at just before 03:30.
