A boat carrying five people has been declared “in distress” in the English Channel, according to the coastguard. A rescue operation has been launched to assist the stricken vessel, which is in difficulty south west of Eddystone Lighthouse and off Plymouth, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed.

The alert was raised following a report about the vessel shortly after 6pm on Saturday. A rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats are among the resources that have been dispatched to the scene. No further details are currently available regarding the vessel or the nature of the emergency.

In an official statement, the MCA said: “HM Coastguard is co-ordinating the response to a report of a vessel in distress with five people on board, south west of Eddystone Lighthouse.”

It further stated: “A coastguard rescue helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft have been sent, together with RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth.

“Local vessels are also assisting.

“The incident is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.”