POLICE have launched an investigation after the fully-clothed body of a woman was found in the sea four miles off the Essex coast.

Roddy Ashworth

POLICE have launched an investigation after the fully-clothed body of a woman was found in the sea four miles off the Essex coast.

The body was spotted floating by crew from a pilot ship early yesterday morning and reported to Thames Coastguard at Walton-on-the-Naze.

The RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Harwich was sent to the scene on the Cork Anchorage at around 8.15am, where it liaised with port authority pilot boat the Haven Tubby, which was heading into the port.

There the body was recovered from the water at around 8.50am.

It was moved ashore at Harwich Quay at about 9.30am.

The body was taken away by representatives of the Essex coroner's office at around 12.40pm.

Police said they believed the body had only been in the water for a few hours before it was found and recovered.

The Cork Anchorage is a holding area for boats waiting to go into Harwich or to hook up with larger vessels needing pilot ships for their approach to the coast.

It is just south of the separation zones which adjoin the main deep sea channel used by large ships heading in and out of Harwich and Felixstowe.

It is thought the woman, who was described as of Filipino appearance and aged between 40 and 45, could have been on a passenger ferry before she entered the water.

A police spokesman said last night that inquiries were underway to try and identify the body and establish how the woman ended up in the sea.

He added that the death is currently being treated as “unexplained”.

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out and an inquest opened.