Two bodies have been found in the sea during a coastguard-led search off the Manx coast today (Saturday).
Two local men were reported as missing when they did not return home after an afternoon out fishing off the north of the island yesterday (Friday).
The alarm was raised during the early hours of today after friends and family failed to make any contact with them.
The pair are believed to have gone fishing off Blue Point on the west of the island around lunchtime yesterday.
Lifeboats from Ramsey and Peel were launched, supported by a further lifeboat from Portpatrick in Scotland. Coastal search teams assisted, along with air support from RAF Valley in Anglesey. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency co-ordinated the search through Liverpool Coastguard.
Just after 6am an upturned flat-bottomed dingy was located in the area of the search. It is believed to be that belonging to the missing men.
The first body was found at about 1.30pm. The second one was located a few hours later.
Police say that inquiries are continuing to establish the identity of the bodies and no formal identification has yet taken place although they are suspected to be that of the missing men.
Officers are with the men’s families, who have been kept up to date with the search efforts.