Rescue Operation Underway Off Plymouth After Boat Distress Report

A coastguard helicopter, plane and RNLI lifeboats were launched on Saturday evening south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth, England, following reports of a boat in distress. Several fishing vessels are assisting the Coastguard in the search, with RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth joined by a number of civilian vessels. According to the maritime monitoring website Marine Traffic, several boats, primarily French fishing vessels, appear to be assisting rescue efforts, with around a dozen boats clustered in an area off the coast of Plymouth in the early hours of Sunday.

A HM Coastguard aircraft has been flying over the same area, according to Flight Radar. Further details about the type of boat involved and the nature of the emergency have not been confirmed by officials. The Met Office said moderate to rough conditions were expected off the coast of Plymouth overnight, with some thundery showers forecast and visibility expected to deteriorate at times. The search operation is ongoing.