Teams carried out “extensive and thorough searches”
A search and rescue operation in the Irish Sea has been stood down with “nothing found” following reports of a man overboard from a P&O Ferry
HM Coastguard launched a search and rescue operation at around 1.21pm on Thursday, February 12, following reports of a man overboard from the European Highlander P&O Ferry travelling from Larne to Cairnryan.
Larne and Portmuck Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI Lifeboats from Larne and Donaghadee were sent to the incident along with the Coastguard rescue helicopter. The helicopter was seen circling the area off the Larne coast for a number of hours.
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The European Highlander was later seen returning to Larne port.
Shortly after 9pm on Thursday, HM Coastguard said the search and rescue operation in the area had been stood down with “nothing found”.
A spokesperson said: “At 1.21pm on 12 February, HM Coastguard responded to reports of a man overboard from a passenger vessel travelling between Larne and Stranraer.
“Larne and Portmuck Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI Lifeboats from Larne and Donaghadee were sent, as well as an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter. After extensive and thorough searches, the search has been stood down with nothing found at this time.”
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