Major search launched after man falls off a yacht near Brighton’s coastline

A passenger has fallen overboard from a yacht in the Channel off the coast of Brighton.

Emergency services were alerted by a woman on the catamaran, thought to be near the Rampion wind farm.

The RNLI confirmed that lifeboats had been sent from both Newhaven and Shoreham to look for the missing man.

They are joined in the search by a HM Coastguard helicopter and aircraft as well as two other boats in the area.

The vessel is being towed to shore while the rescue operation is underway.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: ‘At 10.19am this morning, HM Coastguard received reports of a person overboard from a vessel off Newhaven.

‘RNLI lifeboats from Shoreham and Newhaven have been sent to search, along with an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter, a Coastguard fixed wing aircraft and two nearby vessels in the vicinity.

‘The incident is ongoing.’

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