Coastguard Ends Search for Man Missing From CalMac Ferry

A search for a man from Johnstone who may have entered the water while traveling on a CalMac ferry to the Isle of Arran was called off early Monday, October 19, after an extensive overnight operation failed to locate him. HM Coastguard coordinated the response with Police Scotland, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and ferry operator CalMac.

The alarm was raised at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, October 18, after reports of a man falling overboard from the MV Caledonian Isles off the eastern coast of Arran. According to Police Scotland, subsequent inquiries indicated that the missing man may have entered the water after boarding a ferry from Ardrossan to Arran.

HM Coastguard deployed two helicopters and an airplane, while Coastguard Rescue Teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan, and Greenock joined the operation. RNLI lifeboat crews from Girvan and Campbeltown also assisted in the search.

Despite the extensive efforts, rescuers did not find anyone. HM Coastguard stood down its response at approximately 4:55 a.m. Monday, pending further information.

An HM Coastguard spokesperson described the resources deployed during the operation.

"Two HM Coastguard helicopters and an HM Coastguard airplane were sent to search as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan and Greenock, plus RNLI lifeboats from Girvan and Campbeltown. After an extensive search no one was found and the HM Coastguard response was stood down at about 4.55am on 19 October, pending any new information." the spokesperson said.

The RNLI confirmed that its Girvan crew launched shortly before 11 p.m. on October 18, followed by the Campbeltown crew shortly after midnight. Both teams were mobilized to support HM Coastguard in the search for a person reported overboard.

Police Scotland said officers were assisting partner agencies while investigating the disappearance. The force confirmed that inquiries were continuing after information gathered during the initial investigation suggested the man could have entered the water after boarding the ferry.

"We received a report of a man missing from Johnstone. Following enquiries, it was established the man may have entered the water after boarding a ferry from Ardrossan to Arran. Officers assisted partners during a search off the eastern coast of the Isle of Arran and enquiries remain ongoing." a Police Scotland spokesperson said.

CalMac also confirmed that the vessel's crew was cooperating with the authorities as they investigated the incident.

"The crew from MV Caledonian Isles are assisting Police Scotland and HM Coastguard with an ongoing enquiry regarding a missing person." a CalMac spokesperson said.

The search operation affected ferry services between Ardrossan and Brodick on Monday morning, when a number of scheduled CalMac sailings were canceled. Authorities had not located the missing man when the coastguard response was stood down, and the investigation remained ongoing pending further information.