Huge Channel search referred to as off after it emerges particles is weeks previous
- HM Coastguard led the search which included the Border Force vessel Seeker
- The debris was discovered off the coast near Hastings, in East Sussex
A huge lifeboat and helicopter search launched today in the English Channel has been called off after it emerged the debris was from a crashed boat which ran aground three weeks ago.
The discovery at 8.45am today in the waters near Hastings, East Sussex, sparked a huge search led by the HM Coastguard.
The RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Border Force vessel Seeker, and the coastguard helicopter were all deployed.
The Finnish navy’s minelayer FNS Uusimaa, which was on its way to Cadiz, in Spain, also helped with the search.
But after more than three hours of scouring the waters it emerged the debris was from a sailing boat that ran aground on April 19.
The map above shows the location of where the debris was reportedly found which sparked a huge search in the Channel near Hastings
It later emerged the debris was from a sailing boat which had ran aground three weeks ago, pictured here on April 19
A passerby described the scene at the time (left and right) in which ‘loads of emergency services’ responded consisting of 15 coastguard team members and six border force officers
The RNLI all-weather lifeboat (stock image above), Border Force vessel Seeker, and the coastguard helicopter were all deployed
A HM Coastguard spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘HM Coastguard responded to a report of parts of a pleasure vessel found in waters south of Hastings.
‘The alarm was raised at about 8.45am.
‘An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were sent, as well as the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Hastings. Nearby vessels also assisted.
‘The operation was stood down after investigations found the parts were from a sailing vessel that went aground at Seaford Head, East Sussex, on 19 April. Both people on board made it to land safe and well.’
The two people in life jackets had to be pulled from the waters during the rescue mission in April.
A passerby described the scene to The Argus at the time in which ‘loads of emergency services’ responded consisting of 15 coastguard team members and six border force officers.
‘All you could see at first was a mast rocking in the water,’ he said
‘Eventually the tide went out so there was lots of flotsam. It grounded ashore under the rocks. It was an amazing sight from above. It was a spectacular sight but so sad to see somebody’s pride and joy like that.’
