The family of a 20-year-old diver who went missing near Swanage, Dorset, on the south coast of the UK, has issued a statement after the search to locate her was called off.
Emily Sherwin was diving off the popular dive site of Old Harry Rocks, located on the southern tip of Studland Bay, approximately 3 miles (5km) north of Swanage, when she failed to surface following the dive on the evening of Tuesday, 23 July.
A joint search operation was launched by Dorset Police, HM Coastguard and the RNLIÂ , while a dive team from Avon and Somerset Police conducted underwater searches in the area where Ms Sherwin had last been seen.
Tragically, the joint operation was unable to locate Ms Sherwin and the search was stood down on Wednesday evening.
The tragedy is the second to strike the area in recent months, following a similar incident when emergency services were forced to call off the search for a missing diver in May.
In a statement issued through Dorset Police, Ms Sherwin’s family said ‘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.Â
‘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.’
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.’
Dorset Police is asking anyone who might have information relating to the tragedy to contact them at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240112128.
