HM Coastguard are asking the public to get in contact with information after a 20ft rigid inflatable boat went missing about half a mile off the coast of Bude on Monday, December 26.

The Bude Inshore Lifeboat crew was paged at 7.54pm and the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team at 8.02pm on Boxing Day to a report that a 20ft rigid inflatable boat, with the call sign ‘Whiskey One’, was taking on water.

The vessel was reportedly about half a mile off the coast of Bude when the call was made.

Even though it was Boxing Day, 12 volunteer Bude Lifeboat crew members and three shore crew attended the call out.

The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team got to work and set up a lookout from Compass Point. They liaised with the Coastguard Helicopter, based at Newquay, ‘Rescue 924’, the Padsow Lifeboat (ALB) and the Bude Inshore Lifeboat team during this mission, who were all tasked to the scene to help aid the search.

Investigations were undertaken at the harbour to establish whether a boat had been launched — no evidence was found.

Due to poor conditions the lifeboat crew were unable to be deployed, however the team proceeded to work together to provide a shoreline search around Widemouth Bay to look for the vessel, however, nothing was found and the team was eventually stood down two hours later by the Falmouth HM Coastguard at 10.08pm.

With no vessel found, the incident is pending further evidence.

The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team are asking for anyone with information with regards to the incident to get in touch with HM Coastguard as soon as possible to aid investigations.

If anyone has information about the whereabouts of ‘Whiskey One’ contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on 0203 817 2000 or email [email protected]