PLACES have been offered for a boat tour of a sunken Second World War shipwreck five miles off the coast of Southend.

The SS Richard Montgomery sank in 1944 with 1,400 tones of explosives onboard and major concerns have been raised of a ‘deadly explosion’ risk.

Brownes Thames Estuary Boat and Fishing Trips is offering keen explorers the final chance to tour the shipwreck before its masts get taken down next year.

A spokesman for Brownes Thames said: “Get your final SS Richard Montgomery Ship Boat Tour with Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips before the masts get taken down in March 2024.

“This is definitely a sight to see off the Essex and Kent Coast in the Thames Estuary.

“Looking forward to having you onboard Starfish, thank you.”

Echo: SS Richard MontgomerySS Richard Montgomery (Image: Newsquest)

The masts remain the only visible part of the ship and have become an attraction and key feature in tourist tours off the Southend coast.

A possible explosion has been reviewed by experts who have previously said it would cause a tidal wave resulting in devastation along the Essex and Kent coastlines.

Previous talks to remove the masts took place last year but the movement has picked up pace following an inspection in November.

For more information on trips offered by Brownes Thames Estuary Boat and Fishing Trips visit bit.ly/41oFmxS.