Three Pembrokeshire lifeboats were launched in a major search operation for a person in the water, missing from a Stena Ferry.

St Davids, Fishguard and Angle lifeboats were launched yesterday (Monday) to help search for a person who had gone missing from the Rosslare - Cherbourg Ferry, the Stena Estrid.

They joined Irish lifeboats from Kilmore Quay and Rosslare, along with three coastguard helicopters and a coastguard fixed winged aircraft.

St Davids lifeboat searched for six hours in the Celtic Deep in moderate sea conditions. A spokesperson for the crew said that they conducted two different search patterns for the coastguards.

Stena issued a statement yesterday saying that it the vessel Stena Estrid was dealing with a 'passenger emergency'.

The vessel was docked in Rosslare Europort with 206 passengers and 57 crew members onboard. 

Stena said that the coast guard and gardai had been notified and were assisting its crew.

"Our focus is now to take care of the situation and to support our passengers and crew," said a spokesperson.

The search operation was stood down at around 6.30pm yesterday as daylight was fading.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the missing person at this time,” said St Davids lifeboat.