UPDATED - HM Coastguard coordinating search in Cowes Harbour after ferry collides into yachts during heavy fog


Just after 8am today (Sunday 21 October) HM Coastguard received reports that the Red Falcon Ferry had collided with at least two yachts whilst trying to berth at the entrance of Cowes Harbour during heavy fog.

At around the same time we received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that he’d heard cries for help within Cowes Harbour.

We are currently carrying at an extensive search of the area with Cowes RNLI lifeboat, Calshot RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge, Needles and Ventnor.  A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was searching the area but due to the low visibility in the area had to turn back. 

The ferry with 56 persons onboard remains grounded at the entrance at Cowes.  Those persons onboard are safe and well. 

The search is ongoing and we have no further information at this stage.

 UPDATED 11.20AM SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER


HM Coastguard can confirm that there is nobody in the water or missing in Cowes Harbour.  HM Coastguard has made contact with the person who was initially heard crying for help and he is reported to be safe and well.  We have established that the person was onboard his own vessel and crying out to try and alert the master of the ferry of the situation. 


The Red Falcon, with assistance of tugs, has been refloated and is now in the process of going alongside in East Cowes where MCA surveyors will make an assessment of the vessel.

All passengers remain safe and well and will disembark when the vessel is safely alongside.

Any witnesses who saw the collision, the grounding and/or any passengers onboard the Red Falcon are requested to contact MCA Investigations  and Enforcement Unit via email at  enforcement.unit@mcga.gov.uk leaving their contact details so that we can get in touch.


UPDATE 2.30PM SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER

MCA surveyors have completed an initial assessment of the vessel and it has been cleared to be relocated to Southampton, without passengers, to undergo further inspections.  Once the in water survey has been successfully completed the vessel will be cleared to return to passenger service.
The vessel is being accompanied by two tug escorts as a precautionary measure and an MCA surveyor is onboard for the short duration of the journey.

 


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