Poole Coastguard Rescue Team were requested by the joint rescue coordination centre to go to Rockley Point late at night.
The team attended after a 999 call had been made in reference to a person last seen in difficulty in the water.
They were backed by coastguard teams from Southbourne and Kimmeridge, the coastguard helicopter, police officers, paramedics and both lifeboats from RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station.
A complex air, sea and land search was carried out.
During the next 10 hours with areas being saturated, Swanage Coastguard and Wessex Rescue were also asked to attend.
With the search operations suspended, all teams were stood down the following day, Thursday, around midday.
