A major search has begun off the Moray coast, after three people were said to have abandoned their boat.
A mayday was made at around 5.50pm and the Fraserburgh, Macduff and Buckie RNLI lifeboats have been launched.
An Inverness-based coastguard helicopter is scouring the area, helped by local fishing boats which have answered a mayday call for assistance in the search.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard received a mayday call on Channel 16 from a vessel with three persons onboard reporting that they were abandoning ship in the Moray Firth area.
"Banff Coastguard Rescue Team, Buckie, MacDuff and Fraserburgh Lifeboats and HM Coastguard SAR helicopter from Inverness are currently searching the area.
"HM Coastguard has issued a mayday relay broadcast to all vessels in the area asking them if they can assist in the search.
"Three local fishing vessels have responded and have joined the search also.
"This incident is ongoing and we have no further information at this stage."
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