EMERGENCY services were sent to an incident off St Catherine's Point, on the Island's south coast, when it was feared a windsurfer had been spotted in difficulty out at sea.

However, it turned out to be a loose kitesurf wing, and the owner confirmed it was their missing piece of kit.

Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard helicopter went to the incident.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “At shortly before 2.30pm today, HM Coastguard received a report from a member of public that a windsurfer was potentially in difficulty approximately 600m offshore from St Catherine's Point Lighthouse.

“Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team, the coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and Sandown Lifeboat were sent to assist.

"Upon further investigation by search and rescue units, it was confirmed that the object spotted in the water was part of a lost kitesurfing wing and no people were found to be in distress.

"The owner of the kitesurfing equipment confirmed with HM Coastguard that it was their piece of kit in the water.”