Boat goes missing at sea after mayday call

A boat has gone missing off the Cornwall coast after its crew made a mayday call to coastguards.

The 20ft rigid-inflatable boat Whiskey One contacted coastguards at about 7.50pm on Boxing Day to say it was taking on water about half a mile off Bude.

A major search involving lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter was launched but the vessel is still missing.

Coastguards said they wanted to hear if the crew made it to safety.

Matt West, from the UK Coastguard, said: "We've been unable to contact the vessel since the initial call. There are no sightings of it.

"One of the options is that the vessel did make it safely back to shore - and we are appealing for them to get back in touch.

"And if anyone has any more information about Whiskey One, we would appreciate it if they could get in touch."