Urgent Channel hunt for passengers after debris from ‘pleasure boat’ is found off the coast – sparking huge helicopter and lifeboat search

An urgent hunt has been launched today for passengers in the English Channel after debris from a suspected pleasure boat was found off the UK coast.

The discovery at 8.45am today in the waters near Hastings, East Sussex, has sparked a huge search.

The RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Border Force vessel Seeker, and the coastguard helicopter have all been deployed.

A spokesperson for the coastguard said: ‘HM Coastguard is coordinating the response to a report of parts of a vessel found in waters south of Hastings.

‘A HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft have been sent, as well as the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Hastings.

The map above shows the location of where the debris is reported to have been found

‘Nearby vessels are also assisting.’

The Finnish navy’s minelayer FNS Uusimaa, which was on its way to Cadiz, in Spain, is also helping with the search, reported The Sun.

More to follow.