A frantic search was launched in Portsmouth in the early hours of Sunday after a worried member of the public reported hearing splashing and cries for help.
The UK Coastguard sprang into action just after 2am when the call came in, fearing someone was in trouble in the water.
Portsmouth Lifeboat Brian 1’s volunteer crew rushed to the scene near Lock Lake Eastney. They were joined by teams from Portsmouth Coastguard and Hampshire Police.
Armed with night vision gear and powerful searchlights, rescuers scoured both land and sea for the missing person.
After cutting their engines to listen closely, the lifeboat crew pinpointed the source of the noise: a shoal of fish swimming near the shore.
Relief for the emergency teams came swiftly, and the operation was stood down shortly after 3am, with no person found in distress.
Originally published by UKNIP.
