Missing Cargo Ship Lifeboat Washes Ashore On Devon Beach After Days Adrift

A lifeboat that went missing from a cargo ship earlier this week has washed ashore on Sidmouth Beach in Devon, prompting a coordinated response from coastguard and lifeboat teams.

HM Coastguard said it was first alerted to the lifeboat at around 07:30 GMT on Sunday.

The vessel had been reported missing on Wednesday after being swept off a cargo ship operating on the French side of the English Channel.

Coastguard teams had been tracking the lifeboat since it was reported missing but were unaware of where it would eventually come ashore.

Beer Coastguard Rescue Team was deployed to the scene to help secure the lifeboat and safely deal with flares found onboard.

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was also tasked, as concerns were raised that the evening tide could pose a serious risk of the vessel being damaged or broken up overnight.

The Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat team later explained that, due to the rising tide, a decision was taken to recover the lifeboat and move it above the tide line. The crew used a winch tractor to relocate the vessel to a safe and accessible position at the Clifton slipway.

The RNLI team at Sidmouth also assisted in the operation, using a tractor to move the lifeboat to a more secure area. Once relocated, onboard equipment and items were removed from the vessel and taken away for storage.

Beer Coastguard Rescue Team confirmed that no people were involved in the incident. The team said they had been instructed to remove as many items as possible from the lifeboat and store them securely while awaiting collection by the shipping company.

After this, efforts focused on moving the vessel higher up the beach to reduce any further risk.

The rescue team also acknowledged support from members of the public, giving special thanks to a local woman who provided drinks and sandwiches to the crews during the operation.

HM Coastguard said Devon and Cornwall Police, the Receiver of Wreck and the Environment Agency have all been informed. Authorities are now expected to oversee the removal of the lifeboat from the beach.

The lifeboat will be collected and removed by the relevant authorities in due course.

References: itv, bbc

Source: Maritime Shipping News