THE body of a woman was found in the upper reaches of the Western Cleddau following a major search operation last Friday morning, December 2, for a passenger missing from the Pembroke Dock-Rosslare Irish ferry Isle of Inishmore.

UK Coastguard was contacted just after 8.15am with a report that a passenger, named by HM Coroner as Jennifer Massi of London, was missing and believed to have gone overboard.

The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, based at St Athan, and an Irish Coastguard helicopter searched the area along with the Tenby, Llansteffan and St Govans Coastguard rescue teams, Angle inshore and all-weather lifeboats and a Port Authority vessel.

Dyfed Powys Police and Ireland’s National Police Service were also involved in the search operation.

A Mayday relay broadcast has been issued by UK Coastguard for all vessels passing through the area.

Sadly, a body was found later that morning.

A Dyfed Powys Police statement at the time read: “A body has been located in the Lawrenny area during the search for a missing female.

“Police officers are working closely with specialist recovery teams from HM Coastguard and the ambulance service to recover the female body.”

Angle RNLI’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were both involved in the major search operation.

The Tamar all-weather lifeboat and D-class inshore lifeboat arrived shortly after 8.30am on Friday morning. The Tamar all-weather lifeboat launched at 8.43am and made their way up the river towards the ferry terminal to join other agencies in the search.

After searching the area the all-weather lifeboat was sent further out to sea to continue the search along with the UK Coastguard helicopter as the inshore lifeboat stayed within the haven along with UK Coastguard teams and South Wales Police.

An area ranging from Grassholm Island to Neyland was searched, until it was reported that a body had been located near Lawrenny.

Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to their station at 11.30am.

A spokesman for Angle RNLI said: “The thoughts of all at Angle RNLI are with the family of the female ferry passenger at this sad time.”

HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire has opened an inquest in to the death of Jennifer Massi, 24, of Flat 5, Dagmar Court, Cornwall Road, London.

The inquest is expected to be heard in late April.