A BODY has been recovered in a major search operation for a passenger who went overboard from Irish Ferries ship, the Isle of Inishmore.
The ship departed Pembroke Port at its scheduled sailing at 2.45am, arriving in Rosslare just before 7am this morning.
The alarm was raised shortly after 8am that a female passenger was missing and believed to have gone overboard.
In a statement issued from Dyfed Powys police, a spokesman said the body had been found in the Lawenny area, off Pembrokeshire.
"A body has been located in the Lawrenny area, Pembrokeshire, during the search for a missing female," it read.
"The body has not been formally identified at this time."
The spokeswoman said further information will be released when available.
In a statement released earlier, Her Majesty's Maritime and Coastguard Agency said there was a combined search underway between the Irish and British coastguards.
"The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at St Athan and an Irish Coastguard helicopter are currently searching the area along with the Tenby, Llansteffan and St Govans Coastguard Rescue Teams, Angle inshore and all weather lifeboats and a Port Authority vessel.
"Dyfed Powys Police and Ireland's National Police Service are also involved in the search operation."
A Mayday relay broadcast had also been issued by UK Coastguard for all vessels passing through the area.
A spokesman for Irish Ferries said the ship was back in service and had returned to Pembroke.
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