Search scaled down for missing Dorset boy

A search for a teenage boy missing since he and a friend capsized in a stolen rowing boat is being scaled down.

Kyle Moore and his friend, both aged 14, are understood to have stolen the rowing boat from Portland Harbour in the early hours of Sunday morning.

However, they called 999 around 2am to say that they had taken a boat and were out in Portland Harbour.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said that the boys were "laughing and joking" when they made the call.

However, the spokesperson said that things took a "turn for the worse" around 45 minutes later. "The boat seemed to capsize and they were thrown into the water," the spokesperson said.

Kyle's friend was rescued by the RNLI lifeboat around 3am, but Kyle has so far not been found.

The search was focusing on the 40 square miles of shoreline between Portland Harbour and Ringstead, although the Coastguard said that overnight searches had been limited because of severe weather conditions.

It is understood that Kyle was not wearing a lifejacket and the conditions at sea were described as "treacherous."

The Coastguard said that they had not ruled out the possibility that Kyle could be hurt on unconscious on the shoreline or could be safe on land somewhere.

Kyle's friend, who has not been named, was taken to hospital and is now understood to be recuperating with his family at home.

On Monday, Portlands Coastguard said that air and sea assets were being withdrawn this afternoon, although the land search will continue.

Lee Fisher, for Portland Coastguard said: "We have searched 40 square miles of sea and land since 2.00 am on Sunday, using two Coastguard helicopters, the two Weymouth RNLI lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Portland, Wyke and Lulworth and Dorset Search and Rescue (DORSA). Dorset Police have also been assisting us with our search. Sadly, we have not been able to find any sign of Kyle.

"Coastguards have used our computerized search planning tool 'SARIS' to provide search areas for all teams on scene. This takes into consideration tidal conditions, weather and a number of other matters, ensuring that the search is as accurate as possible.

"In deciding to scale down the search, we have considered survivability, sea temperatures and weather conditions. The search area has been covered many times over, regrettably without a positive outcome.

"Portland Coastguard would like to thank all of those involved in the search for their tireless response to this incident."

(KMcA/EF)