Last picture of tragic couple lost at sea

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Police released the photograph of Heather Harris, 20, and Richard Perry, 28, smile as they sit in the 20ft Humber Rib prior to the accident at Bembridge Ledge, off the Isle of Wight.

Coastguards believe the pair fell overboard either before or when the boat hit the ledge - an outcrop of rock that juts dangerously into the sea.

The empty rigid inflatable boat then became ensnared on a lobster-pot buoy line, bringing it to a halt at about 2.24pm on July 18.

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Overboard: Heather Harris and Richard Perry are believed to have fallen out of this inflatable boat

The body of Mr Perry was found nearby but a massive search by the coastguard failed to find the body of Miss Harris.

The pair, who were on holiday from Stourbridge in the West Midlands with Miss Harris's parents and her boyfriend, took the Rib out to have a look at the Royal Navy warship HMS Severn anchored nearby.

The coastguard said they had also received unconfirmed reports that the Rib was seen wave-riding, a dangerous sport involving heading straight at a wave at high speed.

Pc Bob Chambers, from the Hampshire Constabulary's marine support unit, said: "After the photo was taken the pair departed to look at the warship HMS Severn which was anchored at Sandown Bay.

"They were seen by crew members on board the ship. After that it's believed they returned towards the beach at Whitecliff, but they were not seen again.

"We are treating this incident as a tragic accident, but need the help of the public to help us piece together the missing minutes between their last sighting and when the boat was found empty, and urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.

"We would also appreciate vigilance by any body walking along the coastline in that area, and ask them to report any findings to us."

A post-mortem examination conducted on Friday afternoon found that Mr Perry died as a result of drowning. Police are continuing to carry out shoreline searches in the hope of finding Miss Harris.