On a cold Saturday morning, December 20, 2025, the usually quiet stretch of Inverbervie Beach in Aberdeenshire was transformed into the center of a major emergency operation. The drama began just after 11:15 a.m., when a small fishing vessel—a creel boat—was discovered washed ashore, its engine still humming, but with no one aboard. The eerie sight immediately set alarm bells ringing for local authorities and emergency services, who feared the worst: had someone gone overboard?
According to The Fishing Daily, HM Coastguard received the first call at around 11:15 a.m. and wasted no time in coordinating a multi-agency response. The situation was unusual and deeply concerning. The boat, typically used for lobster and crab pots, had run aground while its engine was still running—a detail that suggested a sudden and unexpected abandonment. It was a puzzle that demanded urgent answers.
Within minutes, the area around Inverbervie Beach was a hive of activity. A Coastguard helicopter was dispatched to scour the surrounding coastline and inshore waters from above, its distinctive red and white body slicing through the grey Aberdeenshire sky. On the ground, volunteer rescue teams from Montrose, Stonehaven, Arbroath, and Aberdeen fanned out along the shore, searching for any sign of a missing crew member who might have tried to swim to safety.
But the search didn’t stop there. According to the BBC, the operation was further bolstered by the involvement of a fixed-wing aircraft, providing an aerial view that could cover the vast and often treacherous North Sea coastline more efficiently. Lifeboats from Arbroath, Montrose, and Stonehaven joined the effort, patrolling the chilly waters and scanning for any evidence that could shed light on the fate of the vessel’s crew.
The sense of urgency was palpable. In coastal communities like Inverbervie, the sea is both a source of livelihood and a persistent source of risk. When a boat turns up empty, the specter of tragedy looms large. Local residents and passersby watched anxiously as the emergency services converged, their hearts heavy with the possibility that one of their own might be missing at sea.
Police Scotland played a central role in the unfolding drama. Officers worked closely with the Coastguard and other agencies to coordinate the search and gather information. As the operation intensified, Police Scotland confirmed the essential facts: the fishing vessel had run aground near Inverbervie Beach at about 11:15 a.m., and it was unoccupied when discovered. There was no immediate sign of the crew, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.
"Police Scotland confirmed the vessel was unoccupied when it ran aground," reported The Fishing Daily. This simple statement, while factual, did little to quell the growing unease. With no one on board and no immediate clues as to what had happened, the searchers faced a daunting task. Every minute that passed without new information added to the tension.
The operation was a textbook example of inter-agency cooperation. Coastguard rescue teams from Montrose, Stonehaven, Arbroath, and Aberdeen brought local knowledge and experience to bear, covering both land and sea in a methodical search. Lifeboats from the same towns provided vital support on the water, their crews braving rough winter surf in the hope of finding a clue—or, better yet, a survivor.
As the hours ticked by, the search expanded. The Coastguard helicopter hovered low over the waves, its crew peering into the churning sea for any sign of a person or debris. On the ground, rescue teams combed the shoreline, scanning rocks and tidal pools, calling out in case a dazed or injured fisherman was sheltering nearby. The fixed-wing aircraft, meanwhile, offered a bird’s-eye view of the wider area, ensuring that no corner of the coastline was overlooked.
The incident quickly attracted attention from local media and residents alike. Inverbervie is a close-knit community, and news of the grounded boat spread rapidly. Some locals gathered at the beach, watching the rescue efforts with a mixture of hope and dread. For many, the scene was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who work at sea—a reality that is never far from mind in a fishing region like Aberdeenshire.
Despite the massive response, by late afternoon, there were still no answers. The vessel remained unoccupied, and no missing persons had been reported in the immediate area. Police Scotland, in coordination with the Coastguard, continued to investigate, reaching out to local harbors and fishing communities to determine the boat’s origin and ownership. The hope was that someone would come forward with information that could explain the mysterious grounding.
“A search is ongoing after an unoccupied creel boat washed ashore in Aberdeenshire,” the BBC reported, underscoring the sense of uncertainty that hung over the operation. With no eyewitnesses and no distress calls received, the search teams were working with precious little to go on. Every possibility had to be considered, from a sudden medical emergency to an accident at sea, or even the unlikely chance that the boat had simply drifted away from its moorings while uncrewed.
The search at Inverbervie Beach serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the ever-present risks faced by those who make their living from it. For the Coastguard, Police Scotland, and the volunteer rescue teams, the day’s events were a testament to the importance of readiness, cooperation, and community spirit in the face of uncertainty. While the mystery of the empty creel boat may yet be solved, the swift and coordinated response stands as a reassuring sign that, even in the most unsettling circumstances, help is never far away.
As the sun set over Aberdeenshire, the search teams continued their efforts, determined not to leave any stone unturned. For now, the story of the unoccupied fishing vessel at Inverbervie Beach remains unresolved—a puzzle waiting for its final piece.
