Search for man overboard stood down

By Cillian Sherlock and Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

A search operation has been stood down after reports of a man overboard from a passenger ferry.

HM Coastguard said crews responded to the incident on the P&O Ferries Stranraer to Larne service at 1.21pm on Thursday.

It said its response had been stood down after “extensive and thorough searches” with “nothing found at this time”.

The search had not begun again on Friday morning.

In a statement, P&O Ferries said: “HM Coastguard has now suspended their search and rescue operation.

“We are continuing to support the authorities with their inquiries.”

The search operation involved Larne and Portmuck Coastguard rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats from Larne and Donaghadee, and an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter.

Crews on other vessels in the area also assisted, the RNLI said.

The ferry company describes the ship as “one of the fastest ferries on the Irish Sea”.

The twin deck vessel operates six daily crossings from Scotland to Larne, which take about two hours and can carry up to 410 passengers, 375 cars and/or 116 commercial vehicles.