HM Coastguard has said it is coordinating the search near Ramsgate after it was alerted at around 8.55am today.

A helicopter, a Coastguard aircraft and lifeboats are involved in the operation.

The crew member was on board the German AIDAperla cruise ship when he went overboard in the early morning of 22 October.

"The captain and crew of AIDAperla immediately initiated all necessary rescue measures in close coordination with the local authorities," AIDA Cruises said in a statement.

"The search on board confirmed that a male crew member is missing."

The ship was reportedly travelling from Hamburg in Germany to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.