A full-scale search was undertaken in the Solent this morning after a fishing vessel reported finding a capsized dinghy just North East of the Needles off the Isle of Wight.  The 17ft angling vessel was found 250-300 metres from the shore of the Needles partly capsized with no persons on board.Solent Coastguard coordinated the search, which involved the Needles, Southampton and Lymington Coastguard Rescue Teams, Coastguard Rescue helicopter Whisky Bravo, Yarmouth, Lymington and Calshot RNLI Lifeboats, Cowes Independent Lifeboat and the Solent and Venturers Rescue Teams.

The owners of the vessel were contacted and confirmed safe and well and assisted with the Coastguard’s inquiries. Isle of Wight Police were also contacted.

As the search continued Solent Coastguard received further information to satisfy them that there were no persons associated with the vessel and thus the search was stood down.

Tony Wheeler, Watch Manager, Solent Coastguard said:

“The discovery of the fishing vessel sparked a huge search of the Solent area involving several different rescue teams. We continued this search as we gathered information on the incident, and once we had confirmation that there had been no-one on board the vessel the search was stood down.”

Island Pulse.