THE discovery of a crewless boat sparked a search operation.

A 20ft cruiser was reported adrift at 6am on Saturday, March 18 in Colwyn Bay.

A lifeboat attended the scene at 7.20am. Crews searched the water for casualties, but none were found.

HM Coastguard said it was “reasonably” confident that four men who were aboard the boat got off safely.

Detective Sergeant Mark Bamber said: “We believe that the boat came into the area yesterday and entered the water in Conwy. The boat is called Phoenix Hardy.

Rhyl Journal: The cruiser was close to shore and found to be abandonedThe cruiser was close to shore and found to be abandoned (Image: RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat)

“We are appealing for the owners or the people who have any knowledge of the boat to contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting reference number A039123.”

A spokesperson from Llandudno Lifeboat said on Saturday: "Llandudno inshore lifeboat Dr Barbara Saunderson launched at 7.20am this morning. The crew of three were tasked to attend and investigate a 20-foot cabin cruiser adrift in Colwyn Bay between the pier and Porth Erias.

"The lifeboat arrived on scene 10 minutes later to meet up with the Coastguard Team who were already in attendance.

"The cruiser was close to shore and found to be abandoned, at the request of HM Coastguard Holyhead the ILB proceeded to conduct a search in the bay to ascertain whether unknown casualties may have entered the water.

NEWSLETTER

Get the latest stories from the Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here

"After an inconclusive search the crew returned to shore to report to the waiting Coastguard and North Wales Police.

"An attempt was made to refloat the cruiser with a plan to tow it to Rhos Marina. However, this was unsuccessful, at which point the ILB was stood down and returned to Llandudno Lifeboat Station."

On Sunday, North Wales Police issued a further update on their Facebook page.

A statement said: "Thank you to all those members of the public that came forward with information regards the circumstances of the “Phoenix Hardy” boat that was adrift and washed up on the beach at Colwyn Bay.

RELATED STORIES

"The information provided generated a number of enquiries and we are now satisfied that there are no people that may be missing from the boat.

"Inquiries continue to understand the circumstances that led to the boat being washed ashore."