Fears grow for two adults and five children on 24ft motorboat that has disappeared

Fears are growing for two adults and five children on a 24ft motorboat which has disappeared off the coast of Dorset. 

Coastguards, a lifeboat and a helicopter have been scouring the Dorset coastline after losing track of Sunseeker vessel Solitude.

The craft, which has a white hull and a blue top, was last seen making 'laboured progress' at St Alban's Head between Poole and Weymouth at 6pm on Thursday, an RNLI spokesman said.

The search was called off at 3.40am on Friday, and now officials are urging anyone with information to get in touch.

In a statement, a spokesman for the RNLI said: 'The vessel with two adults and five children onboard was believed to be making its way to Weymouth from Shell Bay, Poole.

The craft, which has a white hull and a blue top, was last seen making 'laboured progress' at St Alban's Head between Poole and Weymouth at 6pm on Thursday, an RNLI spokesman said (Weymouth beach pictured)

'It had been towed by the Swanage lifeboat the day before after running aground near Swanage. 

'The vessel had last been seen at St Alban's Head at 6pm on Thursday by the National Coastwatch Institution and was making laboured progress south of Kimmeridge.

'Checks by coastguard teams revealed it had not arrived at Weymouth.

'The lifeboat carried out a shoreline search from Weymouth to St Alban's Head in case it was on the rocks, along with a two mile radar sweep, before searching by radar and eye further from the shore in a two-mile search grid.

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'At 1.20am the coastguard helicopter joined in the search carrying out an intensive offshore search. The coastguard and all search assets have not been able to make radio contact with the vessel.

'At 3.40am, with a through search of the area having been completed and nothing found, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.' 

Tony Goss of Wyke Coastguard said: 'They could have come out the water, put the boat on a trailer and be at home absolutely fine, but there is a concern.' 

MailOnline has contacted the RNLI for further comment. 

Dorset is busy at the moment as the Bournemouth Air Festival takes place this weekend.