Missing single-handed MOB Brighton

His empty Sunseeker yacht, described as one of the biggest in Brighton Marina, drifted into the marina at just before midnight but with no one on board.

Yikes, doesn't sound good. Fingers crossed.
 
That is odd - If it was on Autohelm heading for a waypoint just off the marina entrance it would be more then "drifting". Either way, it doesn't look good :(

Unless auto pilot can control the engines, it sounds like he brought the boat to within the harbour walls and went overboard then. Were the fenders out already? Fingers crossed he made it to land or gets found safely.
 
From BBC News

Coastguard officers told BBC reporter Jon Hunt that a team of divers would examine the vessel to see if there was any mechanical explanation for the mishap.

They said the yacht was taking on water, but was not sinking.
 
Just spoken to the Coastguard to confirm that the fenders were deployed when they found it. Although friends and family say he always leaves his fenders out - hardly surprising considering the value of the yacht...
Sussex Police statement is online > http://www.sussex.police.uk/whats-h...es-after-yachtmans-disappearance-off-brighton

All very sad. Iirc he is a long-time berthholder at Brighton, his prev boat was a big Fairline Squadron named [something like] Stefetoo.
 
What's odd is that they don't mention if the engines were still running, or not.
Don't most people moor up first, then stop the engines?
 
Just been a short article on local TV
Search has been suspended until the morning.
Divers are presently checking stern gear and hull for damage.
According to report, engines were not running when boat was boarded by RNLI.
The skipper was very experienced and it was not unusual for him to go single handed when conditions were good on quick trips out.
 
Last edited:
Top