Search continues for person missing from ferry in Irish Sea

Irish Coast Guard helicopter and RNLI lifeboat assisting in operation about 40km off Howth Head

The search is centred on an area 40km east of the Baily lighthouse. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd
The search is centred on an area 40km east of the Baily lighthouse. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd

A search was continuing on Monday evening for a person believed to have gone overboard from a ferry in the Irish Sea.

Coast Guard Helicopter 116 was involved in the search while the RNLI lifeboat from Dún Laoghaire was also assisting, having taken over from the Howth lifeboat.

The search is centred on an area about 40km east of the Baily lighthouse at Howth Head, but the operation is being co-ordinated by the UK Coast Guard at Holyhead.

The alarm was initially raised on Monday morning.

In a statement, the UK Coast Guard said it had responded to a report made at about 9.15am that a man may have gone overboard from a passenger vessel during an overnight crossing between Dublin and Holyhead.

“An HM Coastguard helicopter and aeroplane were sent as well as RNLI lifeboats from Holyhead, Porthdinllaen and Howth. A broadcast was also made and nearby vessels assisted.”

North Wales Police and An Garda Síochána are also said to have been informed of the situation.

The Department of Transport said on Monday evening that the search was ongoing.

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