Fears grow for missing yachtsman
AN experienced sailor has not been heard from after six days at sea amid calm weather conditions, leaving friends “completely flummoxed”.
Robin Davie, 67, was expected back at his home port of Falmouth in Cornwall on Tuesday, having set off on a 300-mile journey from Les Sables d’olonne in western France last Saturday.
The yachtsman, who has sailed solo around the world three times, is understood to have a handheld very high frequency (VHF) radio with a range of around seven to 10 miles, which could contact passing ships.
Falmouth Coastguard issued an alert to all ships in the area on Wednesday morning after Mr Davie’s brother Rick reported him as overdue, but so far no distress signals have been detected.
Yachting journalist Barry Pickthall, who has known Mr Davie for almost 30 years, said: “We’re just completely flummoxed, because the weather has been so benign.
“It’s one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, it’s just really surprising no-one has spotted him. He’s just disappeared.”
Mr Davie is understood to have a life raft on board with a radio and GPS. He had visited the French port to have his yacht, the Rustler 36 C’est La Vie, refitted with a new mast and rigging.
A HM Coastguard spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard has been issuing broadcasts to all shipping and will continue to support the French Coast Guard.”