Coastguard helicopter scrambled as boat 'in distress' English Channel off Plymouth

NewsUK NewsCoast GuardA boat with five people onboard as reportedLaura Hill20:38, 29 Aug 2026Updated 20:39, 29 Aug 2026A vessel with five people on board is “in distress” in the English Channel, the coastguard has said.‌A rescue has been launched to try to help the vessel which is in trouble south west of Eddystone Lighthouse and off Plymouth, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.‌It was alerted by a report about the vessel just after 6pm on Saturday. A rescue helicopter, a fixed wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats are among the vessels which have been scrambled to the scene.‌No further details are currently available about the vessel or the nature of the incident.In a statement, the MCA said: “HM Coastguard is co-ordinating the response to a report of a vessel in distress with five