01/2018 - Missing swimmer, Jersey

08/03/2018

The Channel Islands Air Search aircraft, Air Search One, was called out at 0930 hrs, Thursday 8th March, to assist the Jersey Police to locate a reported missing swimmer in St. Brelade's Bay, Jersey.

It was reported that two swimmers entered the water at 0910 hrs, and only one was seen to return.

Both the St. Helier inshore Lifeboats and CIAS were tasked to search the Bay in a west to east pattern running southwards.

Air Search One searched the whole area with nothing to report.  The Lifeboat and Air Search One were stood down at 1105 hrs, but were recalled to the same area a few minutes later when the Police had received further information.

Search Director Jason Hobbs reported sea conditions as being rough south of St. Brelade's Bay, with visibility being good.

Had a swimmer been on the surface then they would have easily been seen.  Further information was then obtained by the Police that the search begun inland.  The service was stood down and Air Search One returned to Guernsey, landing at 1240 hrs.