01/2015 - Drifting dinghy, Jersey

03/08/2015

The Channel Islands Air Search aircraft, call sign Air Search One, was called out at 8.10 p.m. on Friday 31st July 2015 by Jersey Coastguard to search for a person suspected of being overboard from a dinghy found drifting unoccupied off Gronez Point, Jersey.

The aircraft took off at 8.40 p.m. and arrived in the search area at 8.50 p.m.

An Air Search crew member said "on arrival in the search area we commenced a coastal search from the Northern end of Plemont Bay to Etac Point in the South, an area of approximately four miles.  Weather conditions were good with litle wind and good visibility before darkness fell.  St Catherine's lifeboat was also on scene with police and civil defence personnel on the cliff tops.  The dinghy was quickly found and taken in tow by the lifeboat.  Persons were spotted on the cliffs just above the water line but quickly discounted from the search.  After completing several passes over the coastline the search was moved further out to sea.  Nothing of note was discovered.  At 9.20 p.m. with darkness falling the aircraft was stood down by Jersey Coastguard."

The aircraft landed at Guernsey at 9.35 p.m. having been airborne for 55 minutes.