UK Sailor Missing After Yacht Found “Eviscerated” Off French Coast

A British sailor is missing at sea after his yacht was found “eviscerated” off the south-western coast of France in the Bay of Biscay.

The 73-year-old man activated his distress beacon on Saturday after his yacht encountered difficulties around 50 miles west of Lacanau, maritime officials reported.

A French Air Force helicopter was dispatched to search for the sailor, but it located the 12-metre yacht, Tiger PA, badly damaged.

The yacht was described as “eviscerated” by officials. Two divers were sent to investigate the wreckage, but they found an empty raft and no sign of the missing man on board.

A Portuguese cargo ship and a Spanish hospital vessel were diverted to the area. These vessels joined the French Navy in the search.

However, after several hours of searching in stormy conditions, the operation was called off on Sunday morning due to a lack of information.

The search was carried out during dangerous weather conditions caused by Storm Herminia, which had been battering the north of Spain and western France.

The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts exceeding 62 mph and floodwaters causing cars and buildings to be submerged in western France.

The Préfecture Maritime de l’Atlantique stated that the distress beacon was activated at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The yacht, which is registered under the American flag, was initially spotted by the helicopter.

After the yacht was found damaged, the French authorities were alerted by the UK Coast Guard on Friday evening.

The search efforts included a Portuguese cargo ship and a Spanish hospital ship that treats fishermen at sea, with both vessels diverted to the area.

A French navy maritime surveillance aircraft, the Falcon 50, was deployed after dark to assist in the search.

Reference: BBC, LBC

Source: Maritime Shipping News