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Emergency response launched for vessel in distress in English Channel

Search and rescue assets have been deployed off Plymouth to assist a vessel carrying five people.

The short version

  • A vessel with five people on board was reported in distress southwest of Eddystone Lighthouse in the English Channel.
  • The Maritime and Coastguard Agency received the distress report shortly after 18:00 BST.
  • Search and rescue helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth have been dispatched.
  • The specific nature of the distress and the type of vessel involved remain undisclosed.

Key facts

  • The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was alerted to a vessel in distress southwest of Eddystone Lighthouse shortly after 18:00 BST.[BBC News]
  • There are five people on board the distressed vessel.[BBC News]
  • Rescue operations involve a coastguard helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from Plymouth and Falmouth.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The cause of the emergency and details regarding the type or condition of the vessel have not been released.[BBC News]

Sources