A MAJOR multi-agency search is ongoing after reports a man fell overboard a boat in Poole Harbour in the early hours of Monday morning.
The incident was reported to Dorset Police just before 2am on Monday May 2.
Police, HM Coastguard and Poole RNLI are all involved in the search which has been taken place since early on Monday morning and remains ongoing.
Read more: Man missing in Poole Harbour named as 24-year-old David Haw
Dorset Police said: "At 1.59am on Monday 2 May 2022 Dorset Police received a report that a man had fallen overboard from a boat in Poole Harbour.
"Officers are assisting HM Coastguard with the ongoing searches."
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “An extensive search is being carried out after a report was received by HM Coastguard of a person falling overboard from a boat in Poole Harbour.
“The call came in just before 2.15am today (2 May).
LIVE: major search for man 'who fell overboard boat' in early hours
“Poole, Southbourne and Kimmeridge Coastguard Rescue Teams, two Poole RNLI lifeboats, a coastguard search and rescue helicopter and Dorset Police are all involved in the search.
“The search is ongoing and we have no further information at this time.”
Emergency services have been coordinating the search at Parkstone Yacht Club.
Dozens of officers were congregated on a balcony of the yacht club while colleagues could be seen on the water around Poole Harbour conducting searches.
Several members of the yacht club were visibly concerned and could regularly be seen asking emergency personnel if they had been able to locate the man.
One yachtsman told the Echo how such incidents reinforce the importance of lifejackets.
The final day of the International Paint Poole Regatta races had been due to take place at the club but were cancelled due to the incident.
In an online post, Poole Regatta said the racing and afternoon prizegiving for the three-day event had been cancelled.
Roger Bennett, Vice Commodore at Parkstone Yacht Club, said: “We’ve been informed by the emergency services of an ongoing incident within Poole Harbour. Racing at the club is therefore abandoned for the day.
“Parkstone Yacht Club are providing all possible assistance to the emergency services to help with the ongoing incident.
“Another update will be issued when we have more information.”
People had reported hearing the helicopter searching in Poole Harbour in the early hours of Monday morning.
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