Workington RNLI volunteers were called out this afternoon after an unattended vessel was spotted capsized off the West Cumbrian coast.
A 999 call was made when the vessel was seen off Harrington and Workington RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, the Dorothy May White was launched at 12.50pm today, Wednesday, August 7.
Members of Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team also attended – it was that team’s eighth callout this week so far.
A shoreline search by land-based Coastguard rescue teams was carried out, while the RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 199 from Prestwick searched out at sea.
Following a Mayday broadcast from Belfast MRCC on VHF, a local fishing vessel nearby also responded and made best speed to the area and assisted in the search.
With nothing found from the extensive search, nobody reported missing and the state of the boat, it was deemed this had been floating at sea for some time before arriving on the shores of Harrington.
As such, search efforts were stood down pending any new information.
The lifeboat crew brought the vessel back to Workington Vanguard Sailing Club, where RNLI and Coastguard crews recovered the boat from the water and took photos of any identifying marks and information which was relayed back to the MRCC.
