Authorities Respond to Luxury Yacht Incident Near Plymouth, Uncover £2.3M Hidden Onboard

A routine rescue operation turned into a sensational discovery this week when a yacht arriving from Jersey ran aground near the South Devon coast. The vessel, carrying two British couples and their children aged 6 to 14, was taking on water when the UK Coastguard arrived. During the rescue, officers discovered a suitcase containing £2.3 million in cash.

What began as a routine call for assistance quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about incidents along the South Devon coast this autumn. Early on a misty Saturday morning, the UK Coastguard received a distress signal from a private yacht taking on water near Plymouth Sound. The vessel, later identified as the ‘Evelyn Grace’, had been en route from Jersey with two British families on board when it ran aground in shallow water.

When rescue crews arrived, they found the yacht listing to one side, its polished hull scraped against the rocks and waves slapping against the lower deck. Within minutes, lifeboat teams evacuated the passengers — four adults and two children — to safety. According to officials, all were treated for mild hypothermia but otherwise unharmed. The operation, initially classified as a standard rescue, took a surprising turn when officers inspecting the vessel discovered a sealed suitcase in one of the lower compartments.

Inside the water-resistant case were neatly wrapped bundles of cash, later confirmed to total approximately £2.3 million. Authorities immediately secured the area and notified the National Crime Agency (NCA), which has since launched an investigation into the origins of the funds. Early reports suggest the money may be linked to an offshore account, though investigators have yet to determine whether any laws were broken by those on board.

Local residents, accustomed to seeing pleasure craft along this stretch of coast, expressed shock at the scale of the discovery. ‘You hear about things like this happening in films, not here,’ said Martin Ellis, a café owner overlooking the harbour. The event has sparked both curiosity and speculation among the coastal community, with many questioning how such a large sum of cash ended up aboard a family yacht.

Forensic teams spent much of the following day combing through the vessel, which remains docked under guard at a secured facility near Millbay. Officials have been tight-lipped about the investigation but confirmed that electronic devices, including laptops and navigation equipment, were also seized for examination. A spokesperson for the NCA stated that the agency is ‘pursuing multiple lines of inquiry’ and working closely with customs authorities in both the UK and Jersey.

Maritime experts have pointed out that the English Channel remains a major route for private vessels, many of which regularly travel between the Channel Islands and the mainland. While most crossings are routine, the discovery aboard the ‘Evelyn Grace’ underscores how law enforcement continues to monitor potential misuse of maritime routes. The Coastguard emphasized that their role in such situations prioritizes safety above all else, regardless of subsequent criminal investigations.

As news of the incident spread, social media buzzed with speculation about the yacht’s owners and the true purpose of the voyage. While police have not released any names, one official close to the case confirmed that all passengers are cooperating with investigators and have not been charged with any offence. Financial specialists from the NCA are now tasked with tracing the origin of the cash, which may involve cross-border inquiries.

For now, the ‘Evelyn Grace’ rests motionless at the Plymouth docks, its gleaming exterior a stark contrast to the mystery it now represents. The Coastguard, praised for their swift and professional response, have since returned to their regular patrols. Yet for many in Plymouth, the story of a routine rescue revealing millions in hidden cash serves as a reminder of how the ordinary can swiftly turn extraordinary along Britain’s coastal waters.