A large-scale search has been launched for a man who fell overboard from a boat off the coast of Aberdeen.

The coastguard said the search was focused south east of Aberdeen, near Girdle Ness Lighthouse.

A helicopter and 11 vessels, including lifeboats, rig vessels, tugs and commercial ships, responded to the incident which was reported at around 2am on Monday.

Fast rescue craft from offshore supply boats, Danish, Magne Viking and the Swedish, Balder Viking joined the search for the overboard man.

The Ocean Clever an offshore tug / supply vessel has been scouring the area just east of Cove Bay

Two lifeboats from Aberdeen and Stonehaven, aswell as a Bond offshore helicopter are leading the search.

Matt Leat, the coastguard's maritime operations controller, said: "There is an extensive search of the area going on.

"Due to the weather conditions being very favourable this morning, the search area is fairly small, fairly close inland."

"They were all very quick to respond to the distress calls."

It is not known if the man was wearing a life jacket.

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