Who would’ve thought that a routine fishing trip could reel in a piece of ocean history?
A fisherman from Devon has snagged a unique catch – a Lego shark, lost at sea from a cargo ship 27 years ago. Richard West, a 35-year-old fisherman based in Plymouth, made this extraordinary find while fishing off the coast of Cornwall. This marks the first time one of the 51,800 Lego sharks lost from the Tokio Express cargo ship in 1997 has been recovered. The discovery has excited both West and the founder of the Lego Lost at Sea project, Tracey Williams, as they piece together the intriguing story of these lost Legos.
Imagine pulling up your fishing nets after a day at sea, expecting the usual haul of monkfish or sole, and instead finding a small, grey shark staring back at you—only this shark is made of plastic and has been lost at sea for nearly three decades. For Richard West, a seasoned fisherman from Plymouth, this was no ordinary day on the Defiant FY848. The find, a Lego shark, is the first of its kind to resurface since a massive Lego spill occurred off the coast of Cornwall in 1997.
Back in February of that year, the Tokio Express, a cargo ship battling a severe gale, was hit by a freak wave that sent 62 containers plummeting into the sea. One of these containers carried nearly 4.8 million pieces of Lego, many of them sea-themed. Over the years, these tiny plastic pieces have washed up on shores across the UK, but until now, none of the 51,800 Lego sharks have been found—at least not officially reported.
The moment West spotted the shark, he knew exactly what he was looking at. Childhood memories of playing with similar Lego sets rushed back as he held the small grey figure in his hand, barnacles clinging to its once-smooth surface. This was no ordinary piece of flotsam—it was a piece of history, a long-lost treasure that had finally returned from the depths.
The Remarkable Discovery
On a routine fishing trip south of Penzance, West was aboard the Defiant FY848, a trawler that often plies the waters between Plymouth, Brixham, and Newlyn. The crew was busy hauling in their nets when something unusual caught West’s eye. Nestled among the day’s catch was a small, grey Lego shark, looking surprisingly well-preserved despite its long voyage through the ocean.
“I could tell straight away what it was,” West said with a grin, recalling his childhood fascination with Lego pirate ships. “It’s been 25 years since I’ve seen that face.”
Excited by his find, West immediately reached out to Tracey Williams, the founder of the Lego Lost at Sea project, who has spent years tracking and documenting pieces from the infamous Tokio Express spill. Williams confirmed that this was indeed the first-ever reported sighting of a Lego shark from the spill.
“This Lego shark is one of 51,800 lost overboard from the Tokio Express, and the only one we’ve ever seen,” Williams explained. “Richard and I now have joint custody of the shark.”
A Lost Cargo and a Global Search
The story of the Lego lost at sea began on 13th February 1997, when the Tokio Express encountered rough seas 20 miles off Land’s End. A monstrous wave swept 62 containers overboard, one of which contained a shipment of nearly 4.8 million Lego pieces. Among the various Lego items were 22,200 dark grey sharks and 29,600 light grey sharks, all of which were scattered into the ocean.
Since then, Lego pieces from the spill have been washing up on beaches across the UK and beyond. The Lego Lost at Sea project, founded by Williams, has been meticulously cataloguing these finds, mapping out their locations and studying the effects of ocean currents on their distribution. Pieces have been found as far afield as the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Wales, and even Ireland, highlighting the extensive reach of the ocean’s currents.
The Lego sharks, however, had remained elusive—until now. West’s discovery has breathed new life into the project, offering fresh insights into where the lost Legos might be hiding.
The Fascination with Lost Legos
The allure of finding lost Lego pieces has captured the imagination of beachcombers and environmentalists alike. These tiny plastic toys, designed to spark creativity and fun, have become symbols of the lasting impact of human activities on the environment. Each piece recovered from the sea tells a story, not just of a shipwreck, but of the enduring nature of plastic pollution.
For West, the Lego shark is more than just a nostalgic toy—it’s a treasure. “I was so excited,” he said. “I was more happy about finding the shark than anything else I caught this week. It’s priceless—it’s treasure!”
Williams shares his enthusiasm, noting that every new discovery adds to the puzzle they’re trying to piece together. The project isn’t just about tracking down lost Lego—it’s about understanding how these pieces have travelled and what they can teach us about the ocean’s movements and the persistence of plastic waste.
As the Lego Lost at Sea project continues to map out the locations of these lost pieces, the discovery of the first Lego shark offers a glimpse into the vast, uncharted journeys these small toys have undertaken. From the depths of the sea to the shores of the UK, each piece tells a tale of adventure, resilience, and the unexpected connections between the natural world and human creations.
For Richard West, his unique catch is a reminder of childhood memories and a testament to the enduring mysteries of the ocean. And for Tracey Williams, it’s another piece of the puzzle in her ongoing quest to document one of the most intriguing spills in maritime history.
“It’s priceless—it’s treasure!” – Richard West, upon discovering the Lego shark.
Have you found any Lego pieces on your local beach? Get in touch with the Lego Lost at Sea project to help trace the journey of these tiny adventurers!
