RESCUE crews have been scrambled this morning (Wednesday) after reports a passenger has fallen from the Wightlink ferry.

A UK Coastguard spokesperson said they received the call at 10.50am and Bembridge RNLI, Portsmouth RNLI, Portsmouth and Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Teams are in attendance.

The incident occured just outside Portsmouth.

A passenger on the Fastcat service said: "We were told we had to divert due to a man overboard Wightlink and that a rescue operation was in progress.

"Nearly 20 minutes later, a member of staff said they were still looking for him."

UPDATED 12pm

A spokesperson from Wightlink has confirmed that on the 10.30am St Cecilia car ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, a passenger was seen to jump overboard just outside Portsmouth Harbour.

The crew of St Cecilia deployed the ship’s rescue boat and the Coastguard is now the lead authority on this matter.

St Cecilia is still in the area of the incident, with customers on board, while authorities are trying to recover the person.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said they are coordinating a search and rescue mission in the area.

In addition to the RNLI teams, harbour patrol vessels and a Royal Nacy vessel are searching the area off Portsmouth Harbour.

A spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard has also broadcast a relay to vessels in the area requesting they respond, and assist with the search."

Watch video of search below: