MYSTERY is swirling over an infamous UK shipwreck where a holidaymaker drowned he tried to explore it.
Raymond Mills died on August 17 last year while wading out to see wreckage of the SS Vina, which ran aground off the coast of Norfolk in 1944.
Mr Mills got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water.
His granddaughter – who he was with at the time – managed to get back to safety.
But Mr Mills’ body was later recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter.
During an inquest into his death earlier this year, his family called for additional safety measures to be made at the National Trust-owned beach.
But the probe has been paused due to an ongoing mystery over the who owns the wreckage.
The SS Vina lies 800 metres off Brancaster Beach in Norfolk and is exposed during low tides.
It was built in 1894 and carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic for decades.
After being requisitioned by the military and later used as target practice by the RAF, the SS Vina ran ashore in her current resting place on Brancaster Beach.
The vessel has become something of a notorious landmark in an area known as Wreck Sands, which can quickly become cut off by fast-moving tides.
Mr Mills’ family told the inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court earlier this year, the signage about the dangers of the wreck were inadequate.
Samantha Goward, an area coroner, too agreed that action needed to be taken to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.
She said she would write to the National Trust to establish what signs there were.
However, her investigations have exposed the mystery over who owns the wreck itself and raised questions over what can be done to improve safety.
In her report, Mrs Goward said: “During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern.
“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.”
The National Trust said it was not responsible for the wreck.
Instead, Ms Goward’s investigations indicated the Vina was owned and managed by Trinity House, the organisation responsible for lighthouses and other navigational aids around the coast.
She contacted the organisation, as well as Natural England, which was understood to be responsible for the coastal area on which the wreck lies.
However, it advised that because the wreck was submerged at high tide, a sign would be impractical.
It also said that Trinity House may consider putting a sign on the mast.
But Trinity House then told Ms Goward that it was not the legal owner of the wreck and had previously told the National Trust this.
Upon further enquiry with HM Coastguard, Ms Goward was told the wreck was privately owned when it was requisitioned in the Second World War by the Ministry of Defence, but records do not show who currently owns it.
It was suggested that the Department for Transport may be able to assist with ownership, and the report has been sent to them.
Mrs Goward’s report continues: “I have therefore reached a point where I am unable to establish who may be the owner of this wreck and responsible for considering concerns over the lack of signage warning of risks.
“I am concerned that, in light of the above, there is no safe system in place to ensure that an organisation is responsible for the management and safety of such shipwrecks which are accessible by members of the public.
“With no clear system to ensure that the owners can be identified, there is no system to ensure that concerns can be raised with them when safety concerns arise.
“That that wreckage does not have sufficient warnings at the location to alert members of the public, particularly those who are not familiar with the tidal waters.”
Mr Mills’ widow welcomed the report, calling for the wreck’s complete removal.
She said: “I wonder how many more people need to lose their life before something is done.”
“Ideally the wreck should be removed. It’s of no significant historical interest.
“At the very least, clear signage should appear on the wreck and along the various access routes.”
Prior to his death, Mr Mills had planned his trip down to the last detail.
However, he got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water.
His granddaughter, who he was with at the time, managed to get back to safety.
But sadly, Mr Mills’ body was later recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter.
He was then flown to Norwich Airport but was pronounced dead shortly after the aircraft landed.