UPDATED: URGENT RESCUE MISSION TO LOCATE CASUALTY OFF THE ISLE OF WIGHT

2 lifeboats have been launched and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter scrambled to locate a woman who has gone overboard off the coast of the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Thursday). It was around 13:45 that Solent Coastguard was alerted to a female going overboard from a pleasure vessel south of Ventnor. Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent is in the sky with eyes focused on the waters off Ventnor and St Catherine’s Point in the hopes of spotting the casualty. Meanwhile, Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat has been launched, as has Sandown & Shanklin Independent’s inshore lifeboat. Commodore Goodwill – a cross-Channel ferry – appears to be assisting with the search, diverting from its usual route to Portsmouth to search the seas around the most Southerly point of the Isle of Wight. UPDATE @ 15:30 – Coastguard Rescue 163 from Lydd in Kent has now been scrambled to assist with the search, as has a fixed-wing aircraft. Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat is also being launched taking the total number of search and rescue assets involved to 6; 3 lifeboats, 2 helicopters and 1 plane. UPDATE @ 16:08 – The woman has been successfully located around 6 miles South of St Catherine’s Point. She has been conveyed directly to St Mary’s Hospital by helicopter, where she is receiving medical attention. All other search and rescue assets have now been stood down from the incident.