{"id":463385,"date":"2026-03-07T23:42:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T23:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/463385\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T23:42:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T23:42:13","slug":"urgent-search-for-missing-skipper-after-wrecked-boat-washes-up-in-cornwall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/463385\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent search for missing skipper after wrecked boat washes up in Cornwall"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Parts of the boat and its contents were strewn across a Cornish beach<\/p>\n<p>18:10, 07 Mar 2026Updated 18:17, 07 Mar 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"75 year-old David Fretwell has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, was located wrecked on Mexico Towans in Hayle\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_CL-canva-3.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"75 year-old David Fretwell has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, was located wrecked on Mexico Towans in Hayle\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">75 year-old David Fretwell has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, was located wrecked on Mexico Towans in Hayle(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police \/ Emma Brian )<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There are growing concerns for the welfare of a skipper who is missing after the wreckage of his boat washed up on a <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/cornwall-beaches\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">beach<\/a> in Cornwall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/devon-and-cornwall-police\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Devon and Cornwall Police<\/a> have issued an appeal for help to the community after David Fretwell was reported missing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 75-year-old was reported missing after his boat, Green Goddess, washed up in the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/hayle\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Hayle<\/a> area yesterday (Friday, March 6).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Three coastguard vessels, two <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/rnli\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">RNLI<\/a> lifeboats and a helicopter were scrambled to Mexico Towans beach after David&#8217;s boat was discovered all smashed up with its contents strewn across the sand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">People living nearby began to find parts of the hull, lifejackets, tins of paint coatings, gas canisters, personal belongings and even a seat, standing upright in the sand. The <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/news\/cornwall-news\/gallery\/mystery-shipwreck-cornwall-beach-sparks-10853261\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">bulk of the debris was strewn around the Mexico Towans<\/a> area of the beach, close to the Beachside Holiday Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At the time, a spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: &#8220;A sailing vessel was reported to HM Coastguard at about 8.05am on Friday, March 6, to have broken up on the shoreline at Hayle beach, with no sign of any person on board.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 75 year-old David Fretwell, who has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, being located washed up in the Hayle area on March 6\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_David-Fretwell.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 75 year-old David Fretwell, who has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, being located washed up in the Hayle area on March 6\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 75 year-old David Fretwell, who has been reported missing following his boat, \u201cGreen Goddess\u201d, being located washed up in the Hayle area on March 6(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Coastguard Rescue Teams from <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/st-ives\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">St Ives<\/a>, Portreath and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/penzance\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Penzance<\/a> were sent to check for anyone in distress, as well as an HM Coastguard helicopter and two RNLI lifeboats from St Ives. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/devon-and-cornwall-police\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Devon and Cornwall Police<\/a> were also informed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Searches did not locate any person in distress. HM Coastguard stood down its response at about 2.30pm, pending any new information.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David is believed to have travelled along the north <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/cornwall\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Cornwall<\/a> coast via boat passing <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/padstow\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Padstow<\/a> and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornwalllive.com\/all-about\/newquay\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Newquay<\/a> before arriving in the St Ives area on Wednesday (March 4).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David is described as a white male, of slim build, with short grey hair and approximately 5ft 7in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A spokesperson for the police force said: &#8220;If you have seen David, or know of their whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting log number 247 06\/03\/26.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/HH590b9EfLaCCVOli0p52S\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp<\/a> and we&#8217;ll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. 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