Harwich: Search For Two People Overboard From A Ferry Called Off

26 February 2014, 13:17 | Updated: 26 February 2014, 15:45

A search for two people who've gone overboard from a ferry near Harwich has been called off.

Thames Coastguard say they were contacted just before 10am this morning about reports that two people had gone overboard from a ferry approximately one mile off Harwich.

Felixstowe and Shingle Street Coastguard Rescue Teams, two RNLI lifeboats from Harwich, the Walton RNLI lifeboat and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham were sent to the scene. The ferry, tugs and other boats were also involved in the search but they've now been stood down.

Stena Line, who run the ferry, have released this statement to Heart:

Stena Line can confirm that two passengers are currently missing from the 09:00 sailing from Harwich to Hook of Holland. The two passengers are believed to have jumped overboard at approximately 09:45 today. The passengers were travelling on the Stena Britannica and the incident occurred off the coast of Felixstowe.

Stena Line cannot yet confirm the identity of the two passengers, and is working closely with the Thames Coastguard, which is leading the search and rescue operation to locate the two passengers as quickly as possible.

Stena Line can confirm that 92 passengers are currently onboard the Stena Britannica, along with 81 crew. The Stena Britannica has been assisting the Thames Coastguard in the search for the two passengers and has now been released to resume its crossing to Holland, and is expected to arrive later this evening.