A LARGE-scale joint operation co-ordinated by the Isle of Wight police and HM Coastguard successfully located a vulnerable person reported missing.

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The police called in assistance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency this morning (Saturday), with Coastguard helicopter 175 scrambled from Lee-on-the-Solent; Bembridge and Selsey RNLI lifeboats; Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat (SSIL); and the coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge and Ventnor.

Isle of Wight County Press: Coastguard helicopter 175 arrives in the search area near Shanklin.Coastguard helicopter 175 arrives in the search area near Shanklin. (Image: Steve Stimson)

Isle of Wight County Press: Bembridge RNLI lifeboat and Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat worked together in the search area near Shanklin.Bembridge RNLI lifeboat and Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat worked together in the search area near Shanklin. (Image: Steve Stimson)

Bembridge RNLI say they were called out at 11.28am, with the Tamar all-weather class vessel the RNLB Alfred Albert Williams, searching the area between Bonchurch and Dunnose Point, Luccombe. 

In a choppy, Force 6 westerly breeze, it did not take them long to reach the search area. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat searching the area near Dunnose Point, Luccombe, in choppy seas.Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat searching the area near Dunnose Point, Luccombe, in choppy seas. (Image: Steve Stimson)

Isle of Wight County Press: HM Coastguard helicopter 175 approaching Dunnose Point, Luccombe.HM Coastguard helicopter 175 approaching Dunnose Point, Luccombe. (Image: Steve Stimson)

Having conducted a shoreline search, both Bembridge and the SSIL were stood down by the Solent Coastguard, after they received confirmation from the Island police the missing person had been located safely ashore this afternoon.    

Bembridge lifeboat was back at base at 2pm.