Search for man who 'fell overboard' ferry off Pembrokeshire coast
A major search for a man who is thought to have gone overboard from a ferry in Pembrokeshire has been suspended.
The alarm was raised several hours after the Irish Ferries service from Rosslare arrived in Pembroke Dock and it was realised the crewman was missing.
See also: Cruise ship passenger disappears overboard
See also: Coast Guard searches for man who fell overboard cruise ship
The man was last seen around 45 minutes before the ferry docked at 12.45pm.
When the vessel sailed back to Rosslare later that afternoon, it was realised the man, who worked in catering, was not at his post.
Speaking to the BBC, an Irish Ferries spokesman said: "He was last seen as the ship was entering the port and then it was on the return leg he failed to take up his position.
"We just don't know where he is. Technically speaking it is possible that he walked off in Pembroke - it brings hope obviously because Irish Ferries are quite distressed.
"This is the first time in my memory for a crewman to go missing."
The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 from St Athan and RNLI lifeboats were involved in the search, with no success.
According to the Western Telegraph, on Thursday a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search off the Pembrokeshire coast today for a crew member of a ferry who may have gone overboard late this morning.
"The UK Coastguard St Athan helicopter has been involved in the search for the missing man, along with the Weston Super Mare and Angle lifeboats and two lifeboats from St Davids."
The search was called off in the evening as the light faded, and it is believed it will not resume until more information is available.
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