Extensive late night rescue search called off after 'crashed boat' reports drew blank

A LAND, sea and air search triggered by several reports a small boat had collided with the East Cowes breakwater, was called off during the early hours of this morning (Sunday).

Cowes RNLI lifeboat say it was joined in the search by coastguard teams from The Needles, Bembridge and Ventnor, together with a coastguard helicopter, but the hunt proved fruitless.

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Solent Coastguard received a number of 999 calls and a search operation was launched at 9.20pm last night (Saturday).

The coastguard helicopter, launched from Lee-on-the-Solent, conducted an extensive sweep of the Cowes, East Cowes and upper Medina area using searchlights, but was stood down at around 11pm after they could find nothing.

As well as covering the breakwater, the search extended from the harbour to a stretch of the River Medina beyond the floating bridge.

But the operation was finally called off without any sign of a boat or anyone in distress.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat, which had launched at 9.45pm, returned to station just after 12.30am today (Sunday).