HM Coastguard has been coordinating a rescue operation after a passenger ‘jumped’ overboard from a Wightlink ferry earlier this evening (Friday).
It was at around 19:00 that a passenger on board Wightlink’s Wight Ryder II Fastcat, travelling from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head, decided to jump from the vessel into the Solent.
The alarm was immediately raised with Solent Coastguard, in turn alerting nearby vessels to the developing situation.
As a result, the crew of Wightlink’s car ferry Victoria of Wight sprung into action, swiftly deploying a rescue boat. At the same time, Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service was tasked to launch its lifeboat.
Eyewitnesses say the woman initially refused a life ring but has since been safely hauled aboard the rescue boat and transferred into the appropriate care.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard has confirmed that the casualty has been taken ashore and is in the care of the South Central Ambulance Service.
Wightlink is advising customers that owing to the incident, the Portsmouth-Fishbourne car ferry service is delayed this evening, by an unknown amount of time.
In addition, the 19:20 Fastcat sailing from Portsmouth and the 19:47 sailing from Ryde Pier Head have been cancelled.
The cross-Solent operator has said in a statement:
“Following a man overboard incident on the Fastcat this evening, Victoria of Wight, which was in the vicinity launched a rescue boat and the individual was recovered from the water.
“The Fastcat returned to Portsmouth Harbour with this individual who is now in the care of the emergency services”.
