Search on for man overboard from ferry

A major air and sea search was mounted in the Irish Sea today after a man was seen to go overboard from a Liverpool-bound ferry.

The alarm was raised shortly after 2am when the crew of the Lagan Viking, en route from Belfast, reported the man overboard nine miles south of the Isle of Man.

A marker buoy was thrown into the water by the ferry crew and they began a search for the missing man.

Liverpool Coastguard co-ordinated the search and several vessels joined in the hunt including the Lagan Viking’s sister ship, Mersey Viking, which was sailing from Liverpool to Belfast.

The survey ship Corystes and the Moon Dance also joined the search before the ferries resumed their journeys.

The lifeboat from Port St Mary and an RAF helicopter from Anglesey were scrambled.

Paul Parkes , Liverpool Coastguard watch manager said: “We will continue to search for this man, using our search and rescue resources, until all of our search areas are covered.”