Coastguard appeal as discarded clothes found on ferry
Lifeboats sweep Poole Harbour after discovery of pile of clothes and shoes in passenger vessel's toilet

At a little before 11.30 a.m. this morning Portland Coastguard were notified of a pile of clothes being found in a toilet cubicle aboard the passenger vessel `Maid of the Harbour when she berthed in Poole harbour.

These consisted of a pair of size 8 brown/beige shoes, black denim style trousers with a packet of cigarette papers in the pocket, and a white cotton shirt. No member of the crew can remember anyone boarding wearing those clothes or seeing anyone acting in an erratic way on board the vessel during a previous trip.

The vessel had previously left at just after 11.00 with 42 passengers plus two crew on board en route to Brownsea Island and had returned at 11.25.

The Dorset Police have also been informed.

Two lifeboats have now been requested to launch and make a sweep through the harbour and the outlying areas to search for anyone who may be in the water. Local CCTV film is also being accessed to give the authorities any further clues to someone who may have entered the water without being seen.

Ros Evans, Watch manager at Portland Coastguard said

"The weather currently is northeasterly winds of force 4 or 5 becoming variable, 3 or less. Scattered showers are forecast with fog patches later. Visibility is currently moderate with a slight sea locally.

"We are appealing to anyone with further information or who may be able to identify the wearer by the description of the clothes to get in touch with us as soon as possible on 01305 760439.