Search for missing Essex yachtsman Duncan Lougee called off after boat found floating in the sea with no sign of sailor
30 June 2023, 14:47 | Updated: 30 June 2023, 16:56
The search for a missing yachtsman has been called off after his boat was found floating empty off the coast of Cornwall.
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Duncan Lougee, 70, from Dedham in Essex, was planning to sail from Cornwall to Ireland via the Scilly Isles.
Mr Lougee left Plymouth in the boat, called Minke, on June 18. He was supposed to arrive in Ireland on June 22.
But he never arrived and on June 29 coastguard rescue officials appealed for anyone who might have seen the vessel.
Search and rescue teams found Minke later on Thursday about 70 miles north-west of Trevose Head in Cornwall.
A spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: ““Extensive searches were carried out and coordinated by HM Coastguard and the yacht found.
"The search was terminated once it became clear that the period of survivability had passed.”
In a statement, Ireland's Coast Guard rescue boat RESCUE117 said: "Vessel overdue update: Our sister ship, Waterford based RESCUE117 has found the Minke, unfortunately there is no trace of crew on board.
Belfast Coastguard added: "Vessel has been located, enquiries still ongoing."
Mr Lougee is an "experienced yacht broker, boat builder and sailor" who had crossed the Atlantic alone and made three return trips from Plymouth to the Azores.
He is a director at Clarke & Carter yacht brokers, according to the company's website.
The company describes him as "a key member of the Suffolk team", adding that he brings "a huge technical knowledge of yacht construction gained from professional boat building over a number of years.
"He is our classic yacht expert and also a very experienced single handed sailor."
A spokesman for the company said: "We are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of Duncan.
"On behalf of the entire yachting community here in Suffolk, we would like to express our huge gratitude to the authorities for their ongoing search.
"Our priority at this time is supporting Duncan’s family."
