Yacht Found Aground Off Cornwall Triggers Major Search

The UK’s HM Coastguard and RNLI launched an intensive search and rescue mission after a deserted yacht was discovered stranded on the rocks along the Cornish coastline with its sails still raised and no sign of its crew.

On the evening of June 13, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the HM Coastguard station in Mevagissey, Cornwall received a call reporting that a yacht had grounded at Chapel Point, located near the southern entrance of the English Channel.

Responders from the Coastguard and RNLI were dispatched to the scene. Donning dry suits, they boarded the vessel but found no one aboard, prompting the launch of a full-scale search and rescue (SAR) operation.

Under coordination from the Falmouth Coastguard, the response involved both land and sea assets. Several units participated in the effort, including RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth, Fowey, and Looe, as well as Devon & Cornwall Police, and both Coastguard helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft support.

The Fowey lifeboat crew was deployed for over 10 hours, covering an extensive search grid between Chapel Point and the Lizard, reaching up to 25 nautical miles from their base.

While the coastal search was called off on Saturday, efforts at sea continued until 6:30 a.m. the following morning. Authorities have not provided further updates at this time.

"We’d ask people to consider the family and friends of those involved and not to speculate online until the facts are known," Mevagissey Coastguard said in a statement.