Moored sailor sparks massive Coastguard search

8:44 PM Sat 1 May 2010 GMT

'Yacht Fontella was moored to a buoy during the search' .

In a call that echoes the sentiments of Coastguards round the world, an officer of the Thames Coastguard has pleaded with all sailors to set out with a working VHF, navigation equipment, up-to-date charts, flares and life saving equipment.

An extensive search had to be carried out this week for a missing sailor between Canvey Island in Essex on the Thames Estuary and Bradwell on Sea.

The man aged 62 from the Canvey area, aboard the 26ft yacht Fontella was undertaking a passage between Canvey and Bradwell yesterday, a distance of 40 miles.

He was last seen Friday at 3.00 in the afternoon and spoken to by a patrolling police boat.

When he failed to arrive at his destination, family members became concerned for his welfare and contacted the Coastguard.

Thames Coastguard conducted an extensive search of 575 sq miles within the Thames Estuary including 75 miles of coastline involving Coastguard rescue teams lifeboats and a helicopter.

The vessel was eventually located by the yacht Piranha, three miles off the entrance to the river Crouch, after spending the night secured to a buoy seven miles from Foulness Point.

An Essex Marine Police Rhib escorted the sailor to Bradwell Marina where they were met by Bradwell Coastguard.

Karen Paradise, Thames Coastguard, Watch Manager said, 'This incident could have been avoided if the owner of the craft had placed a passage plan with the Coastguard and a shore contact and had carried a working VHF radio and mobile phone. He could then have contacted the shore when his plans changed.

'When setting out on a passage mariners should always ensure that a passage plan is lodged, the vessel carries a working VHF radio, navigation equipment, up to date charts, flares and life saving equipment.'

by Maritime Coastguard Agency/Sail-World

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