Loss of MV Darlwyne

Loss of MV Darlwyne.
The pleasure cruiser MV Darlwyne disappeared off the Cornish coast in south-west England on 31 July 1966, with two crew and twenty-nine passengers. Formerly a naval picket boat, the vessel had undergone considerable structural modifications which adversely affected its seaworthiness, before beginning service as an unlicensed passenger boat without radio, distress flares or other lifesaving equipment. On the fatal voyage, a group from the Greatwood guest house in Mylor were taken on a 30-mile trip to Fowey. The outward voyage was completed without mishap, but the weather had significantly deteriorated when the return trip began late that afternoon. When the vessel failed to return to Mylor the alarm was raised, and air and sea searches began on 1 August. Twelve bodies were eventually recovered, but no further traces of the vessel were found at the time. A subsequent Board of Trade enquiry exposed the laxity with which boat licensing regulations were being administered, and led to stricter enforcement. In 2016 divers found an anchor and other debris in the vicinity of Darlwyne's final sighting, which they stated were in all probability relics from the vessel.