A heartbroken family of an ‘outgoing, loving and loyal’ young woman who went missing after a dive off the coast of Dorset.
Emily Sherwin, 20, from Poole, had been on a diving expedition in Poole Bay, Dorset, when she failed to resurface as planned on Tuesday at around 6pm.
An extensive search for the missing diver, which was carried out by the RNLI, Dorset Police and the coastguard, came to a halt on Wednesday evening.
Yesterday, the police force said the young girl had not been found following her dive off Old Harry Rocks near Swanage.
Her devastated family have since released a touching tribute to their beloved daughter, who hoped to go into a career in marine conservation, adding they will ‘miss her forever’.
Emily Sherwin’s (pictured) heartbroken family have released a touching tribute to the young diver, 20, who failed to resurface after a dive expedition
RNLI, Dorset Police and the coastguard carried out an extensive search for the young woman. They stepped down on Wednesday (pictured: Search teams around Old Harry Rocks, Dorset)
Their statement read: ‘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.
‘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.
They thanked all those involved in searching for the young diver, including a team of 30 boats from Parkstone Yacht Club.
‘The search operation was a testimony to the impact she had upon everyone she met and the love we all share for her,’ they added.
‘We will miss her forever.’
The alarm was raised at about 6pm on Tuesday when Emily failed to resurface as planned following the dive off Old Harry Rocks (pictured). Police have said she had not yet been found
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.’
