A MAN and his pet dog were rescued after falling overboard.

The incident near East Cowes ferry terminal today (Sunday, December 1) sparked a major alert.

Coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge and Ventnor, the police and Cowes RNLI lifeboat launched a search after reports of a man in the water at around 5.50pm.

Read more: Late night rescue after two cut off by the tide at Luccombe

The man and his dog had fallen from a small boat at the mouth of the River Medina.

They were in the water for about 20 minutes before being rescued by Cowes Harbourmaster's launch.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat had also been launched at 6.06pm to assist.

Read more: Two people rescued after falling off cliff near Blackgang

A spokesperson for Cowes RNLI said: "The man was landed at the Whitegates pontoon in East Cowes.

"No ambulance was required. His boat was also recovered."

The operation was stood down just before 7pm.