APPEAL TO OWNER OF GROUNDED YACHT TO CONTACT COASTGUARD

Coastguards have issued an urgent appeal to the new owner of a yacht that washed ashore at Seaton Harbour, Devon, earlier today (Friday 17 October) to get in touch.

At around 10am this morning a call was received from a member of the public that the vessel, the Yacht Louise - a 25ft to 30ft Hurley 20 with a blue hull - was aground at Culverhole Point.
Signs of recent occupancy and activity on-board have raised concerns that the yacht’s owner may have gone overboard.  Coastguards and Devon and Cornwall police have so far been unable to contact him. 

The Lyme Regis inshore lifeboat, the Sidmouth independent lifeboat and the Lyme Regis and Sidmouth Coastguard Rescue team as well as Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 106 are continuing to search the area.


Steven Mann, Coastguard in charge of coordinating the search, said: “Given the uncertainty of the situation, we are very keen to hear from the owner of this yacht if he is safe and well.  In the meantime we will continue to carry out a detailed search of the area where the vessel is likely to have drifted.”

 Update:  Friday,17:15 - the area has been thoroughly covered but  the search has now been suspended, pending further information. Enquiries into the possible whereabouts of the yacht owner will continue.

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