The family of 20 year old Emily Sherwin from Poole in Dorset, who failed to resurface after diving near Old Harry in Swanage Bay, have said they are heartbroken and will miss her forever.
The emergency services were alerted by the dive boat at around 6 pm on Tuesday 23rd July 2024 that Emily had gone missing, but despite an extensive search, sadly she hasn’t been found.
Emily Sherwin described by her family as: “Unique: high spirited, outgoing, loving and loyal”
“Adored the sea and loved sailing and diving”
The search was called off by HM Coastguard at 6 pm on Wednesday 24th July 2024.
Dorset Police issued a statement from her family:
“We are heartbroken at the loss of Emily, but eternally grateful for the 20 wonderful years we had with her, and finding comfort in the fact that she was doing something she loved.
“Emily was unique: high spirited, outgoing, loving and loyal. She lit up every room. Emily adored the sea and loved sailing and diving. She was looking forward to an exciting career in marine conservation.
“We would like to thank all involved in the attempts to find Emily: the RNLI and coastguard teams, the police divers and all at Parkstone Yacht Club who took over 30 boats to join the search.
“The search operation was a testimony to the impact she had upon everyone she met and the love we all share for her.
“We will miss her forever.”
The Swanage D Class inshore lifeboat returned to the boathouse to refuel just after 9 pm on Tuesday 23rd July 2024
While the inshore lifeboat was refuelled, the Swanage all weather lifeboat continued the search in Swanage Bay
Lifeboats, coastguard teams and police
The multi agency 24 hour search involved both Swanage lifeboats, Poole lifeboat and Yarmouth lifeboat from the Isle of Wight, as well as privately owned boats which voluteered to help.
HM Coastguard coordinated the operation, with coastguards including a team from Swanage, scouring the sea from the shoreline.
Search and rescue helicopters from Lee on Solent in Hampshire and St Athan in Wales took it in turns to observe from the sky while, a plane was deployed to search the wider area.
A police dive team from Avon and Somerset Police also conducted searches in the area where Emily had last been seen.
The extensive search continued throughout the night with the Swanage all weather lifeboat continuing until 6 am, when the Yarmouth lifeboat took over at daybreak on Wednesday 24th July 2024
“Thoughts are with all of Emily’s loved ones”
Detective chief inspector Rachel Vallins, of Dorset Police, said:
“Officers are continuing to keep the family fully updated and our thoughts are with all of Emily’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time.
“With our partner agencies we have carried out extensive searches in the area where Emily had dived over recent days, but unfortunately we have been unable to locate her at this time.
“Following liaison with maritime experts and a thorough examination of the conditions and circumstances surrounding this incident, we have now taken the decision to stand down our underwater searches. Officers have spoken with Emily’s family to inform them of this latest development.
“While the dive search activity has now ceased, we will continue to carry out enquiries and remain committed to exploring every available line of enquiry to locate Emily.
“Finally, I would like to thank all those from partner agencies, as well as volunteers from the community and our own officers, who have worked tirelessly in the search efforts.”
Contact Dorset Police
Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact Dorset Police via their website or by calling 101, quoting number 55240112128.
