The search for a missing swimmer on a popular West Wight beach has ended positively this evening (Sunday) following an operation involving 2 Coastguard Rescue Teams and a helicopter.
It was around 18:30 that HM Coastguard received reports of a male swimmer who was reported missing off Compton Bay, after it was noticed he had not returned to shore for some time.
Coastguard Rescue 375 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent was tasked to the West Wight beach to aid in the search.
Coastguard Rescue Officers from The Needles and Ventnor, accompanied by a Senior Coastal Operations Officer, were present at both Compton Bay and Brook Beach car park, walking the stretch of beach between the 2 to search for the male.
Although the Coastguard helicopter was scrambled, it was stood down just minutes after its arrival in the skies above Compton following the discovery of the swimmer.
Across the Island, this week’s warm weather has seen residents and visitors head to the beach to enjoy the best of British summertime.
Following an increased number of people visiting beaches, Freshwater Independent Lifeboat station reported via social media that they have been tasked to 2 incidents today alone, involving paddleboarders and kayakers.
Earlier on, the volunteers were deployed to a capsized kayaker off Freshwater Bay, later going to the aid of 6 paddleboarders who had become stranded in Watcombe Bay.
The independent lifeboat service has issued a safety message to those heading out on paddleboards and kayaks to check the weather, wind and tide conditions as well as to wear a suitable buoyancy aid.
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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what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
