WATCH: Footage shows scale of rescue operation in Portsmouth Harbour after man '˜jumps overboard' from Wightlink ferry

Footage recorded at the scene shows the huge scale of the mission to find the man which is underway today (August 29) 

Two RNLI Lifeboats, a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent and two coastguard rescue teams from Hillhead and Portsmouth are all involved in the rescue operation. 

The passenger is believed to have '˜jumped' overboard from a Wighlink ferry which had departed from Portsmouth harbour this morning. 

A spokesperson from Wightlink Ferry said: '˜On the 10:30 St Cecilia car ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne a passenger was seen to jump overboard, just outside Portsmouth Harbour.

'˜The crew of St Cecilia deployed the ship's rescue boat and the Coastguard is now the lead authority on this matter, with a number of vessels assisting in the search.'

It is understood the ferry was on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route.

Vincent Winstanley was walking along the beach when he noticed a helicopter in the skies.

The 68-year-old from Southsea said: '˜I saw the helicopter and then all these boats and the strangest thing of all was the ferry that had just stopped in the middle of the Solent.

'˜There was lots of commotion and boats all clearly looking for something.'