Shipwreck walk to explore Ionic Star on Formby Beach

Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership will be leading a guided walk out to the wreck of the Ionic Star off Formby on Sunday, April 10.

The Ionic Star by Sue Tinsley

As is often the way though, it's one for early birds - They will be setting off from Lifeboat Road, Formby, at 7.30am prompt to catch the low tide. 

Booking for the guided walk is essential as the partnership’s shipwreck walks always prove popular and quickly fill up.

For more details, please contact Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership on 0151 934 2964 or email landscape.partnership@sefton.gov.uk

The Ionic Star ran aground on October 17, 1939 as she sailed into Liverpool carrying a cargo of meat, cotton and fruit from South America.

No lives were lost in the wreck, and much of the ship’s structure was salvaged for scrap despite lying far out in the low tide zone on the infamous Mad Wharf sandbank.

If you are attending this event, you will need warm waterproof clothing and wellington boots are essential.

The Ionic Star also features in the 'Shipwrecks of the Sefton Coast' booklet produced by Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership last year. The guide has proved hugely popular - they have already got through two print runs of the title but, if you would like a PDF version of it, simply call or email Sefton Coast and they will send you one back as soon as possible. Please call 0151 934 2964 or email landscape.partnership@sefton.gov.uk

The wreck of the Ionic Star lies in the low tide zone - a dangerous area which should only be visited by those with a thorough knowledge of the weather, tides and channels on the Sefton coast. Far better - and safer - to join a guided walk out to see her.