Police enquiries under way as search for anglers continues

Police on the Island are making enquires regarding two local men as a major search continues off the northern coast of the Island.

A sixteen foot angling dinghy from the Island was reported overdue at 3.40 this morning (Sat) and Ramsey and Peel lifeboats were launched to search for it off the coast at Jurby.

They were later joined by the lifeboat from Portpatrick in Scotland, a helicopter from RAF Valley and a fixed wing aircraft.

An upturned dinghy was located around 6am but with no sign of the occupants.

The pair are believed to have gone out fishing during Friday afternoon off Blue Point on the West of the Isle of Man sometime around lunchtime and have not been seen or heard from since.

A missing person search is now continuing off the west coast of the Island from Peel heading north.

The men are both believed to be in their late 60s. One is said to have thinning grey hair, was wearing glasses and when last seen had on blue jeans and a polo top.

The second man also has receding hair and was believed to be wearing black trousers, black wellies and possibly a grey coloured flotation suit.

Police are appealing to local fishermen and members of the public out on pleasure craft or using the beaches in the area to be vigilant and report any concerns or potential sightings to Liverpool Coastguard who are coordinating resources on  0151 931 3341, or alternatively the local Police Control room on 631 212.

Alternatively fishermen or public on boats can use the local VHF radio channel 16 to report any sightings or concerns.