A full-scale air, sea and shore search is taking place this afternoon (Tuesday) over fears that a woman might have disappeared overboard from a car ferry.
The news follows reports that although the 30-year-old woman bought a ticket at Wightlink’s Fishbourne car ferry terminal she was not among the passengers who disembarked at Portsmouth.
The Search and rescue helicopter was among the emergency services assisting with the incident.
Ryde Rescue and Cowes Lifeboat are also on the scene in Fisbourne, as well as coastguard teams from Bembridge, Ventnor and Portsmouth, and Hampshire Constabulary.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "Officers were searching the area of the terminal as we believe she may have been there.
"It is now believed that the 30-year-old woman has got off a ferry in Portsmouth."
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Coastguard teams from Bembridge, Ventnor and Portsmouth are assisting in the search."
Cowes RNLI lifeboat was launched just after noon to take part in the extensive search of the Solent, where the choppy sea was whipped by a strong and bitterly cold easterly wind.
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