Fog hampers search for missing anglers

Publication Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2013  14:45

Foggy conditions on the north west coast where two local anglers are missing
Foggy conditions on the north west coast where two local anglers are missing

A major search operation continues in foggy conditions for two local men missing at sea.

The anglers, who are both in their sixties, were last known to be fishing off Blue Point on the north west coast yesterday lunchtime but were reported missing in the early hours of this morning when they failed to return home.

At 6.20 this morning their dinghy was found upturned around five miles from the shore - there was no sign of the two men.

Liverpool coastguard is coordinating an air and sea search covering over 360 square miles of water.

Lifeboats from Peel, Ramsey, Port Erin and Port Patrick in Scotland are involved, along with rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and RNAS Prestwick.

A UK Coastguard plane was involved in the search earlier but had to return to base because of the fog.

Manx police are asking fishermen and other members of the public who are out at sea or using beaches to be on the lookout for the men.

Small groups of volunteers have been seen scouring the shoreline along the west coast this afternoon but visibility out to sea is poor in many places due to fog.

Any sightings should be reported to Liverpool Coastguard on 0151 931 3341. People on boats can use local VHF channel 16.