A FULL-SCALE search involving two lifeboats, two helicopters and two coastguard teams was mounted last night (Saturday, May 21) following reports of a person in the sea.

Scarborough RNLI said the search was launched at about 8.30pm and crews combed the area's coast for over an hour, but to no avail.

It followed calls from two individuals – one an off-duty lifeboat crew member – of someone in the sea near the Scalby Mills area of Scarborough who was possibly in distress.

“The area was quickly saturated with two airborne units, both lifeboats and two teams of coastguards but we couldn’t see anyone,” said inshore lifeboat (ILB) helm Pete Billingsley.

On a calm sea and an ebbing tide, and with good visibility, the inshore lifeboat was launched at 8.30pm, rapidly followed by the all-weather lifeboat, coxswained by Lee Marton.

The lifeboats and coastguards combed the shoreline and sea in the North Bay, focusing on Mascus rocks but then widening the search.

The coastguard and police helicopters scanned the area with powerful beams.

Coastguard station officer Mark Jenkinson said: “The search continued for some time without finding anything.

“An eye-witness later said they saw a fully-clothed man, dripping wet, walking up Peasholm Gap. Having found nothing else it was presumed that this was the person in question and the search was called off.”

If you see anyone injured or in distress on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.