In the early hours of Monday morning a fishing vessel reported to Swansea MRCC that they had spotted an 8-foot RIB afloat with nobody aboard off the coast of North Devon.
The fishing vessel, the Thomas Andrew, recovered the RIB 10 nautical miles South West of the Isle Of Lundy and took it into Padstow harbour.
Swansea MRCC scrambled a rescue helicopter to search the area for possible occupants of the RIB. Unfortunately there were no markings on the vessel, and so the Coastguard have as yet been unable to trace its owners.
Watch manager Helen Hutson said: “As there were no markings on the RIB we are finding it extremely difficult to investigate where it has come from, and if we are searching for any occupants.
“We would like to remind the public that it is important to mark any vessels you own appropriately to save the time and efforts of the Coastguard if it becomes lost or stolen.
“We would also like to advise people to contact the Coastguard if you do lose your vessel so that situations like this can be avoided.
“Finally, we would like to ask that if anyone has any information on the RIB, that they contact us as soon as possible.”
