SEA SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN

Solent Coastguard began co-ordinating an air and sea search at 8:55 p.m. on 10 January 2002 for a man reported as missing from the 8:30 p.m. ferry arrival at Portsmouth from Wooton Creek on the Isle of Wight when staff found that a car remained unclaimed after all passengers had disembarked.

Solent Coastguard scrambled the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, which searched back along the route of the ferry. Four independent lifeboats, three from Gosport and one from Cowes, were also requested to join the search along with a Ministry of Defence Police launch and the Southampton Harbour Master's launch.

Solent Coastguard also broadcast to vessels in the area to keep a sharp look out, while Police carried out land based enquiries.

Tony Wheeler, Watch Manager at Solent Coastguard said: "The search conducted has been extensive and we have had good visibility throughout, with nothing found after nearly two hours of searching and with no other information, we will now begin to scale down the air and sea search."