Coastguard Incident on Formby Beach

There were 'Blues and Twos' this morning at approximately 9:20am in Formby heading towards the beach. It was the Coastguard who had been informed of an incident on Formby beach. Parts of a wreckage had washed ashore and they had to make their way down to Albert Road and also Lifeboat Road to assess if their had been a ship wrecked that they were not aware of.

HM Coastguard Rescue Unit at Albert Road

Coastguard vehicles at Albert Road

Coastguard vehicles parked at Lifeboat Road this morning

The Coastguard examining the pieces of wreckage on the beach

Coastguard at the beach from Albert Road

After inspection of the wreckage, which was washed up on the tide this morning, it was confirmed that the wreckage was part of the vessel that had ran into difficulty last week at New Brighton - The Merlin.

The top of the cabin from the Merlin (below)

The top of the cabin from the Merlin (below)

The Merlin at New Brighton

On 12th July, The Merlin had run into problems with three persons on board and the red North West Air Ambulance, which flew over Formby was sent to the Mayday call and the vessel was brought back without any injuries to anyone. The coastguard were asked to secure the vessel on the beach at New Brighton.

The North West Air Ambulance

The coastguard were asked to secure the vessel

The vessel then remained on the beach whist the owner was undertaking repairs so it could be moved safely to another location. On 16th July, the Coastguard tried to discourage members of the public from interfering with the boat or its anchor lines which are the property of the owner.

"Please remember that boats and items on them can present dangers and risk of injury, especially to children. The anchor lines are in place to secure the boat and prevent it from causing a hazard to shipping, please do not interfere with them."

Sadly, the next day, someone smashed it up on the beach and the wreckage was left to go out on the tide and consequentley some of it washed up in our Bubble.

If you see anyone in difficulty on the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.