Tuesday 29th June

The ILB and ALB launched at 4am to a report of a missing Yachtsman.

His wife had reported him overdue at 2.45am. He had sailed from Christchurch heading west, with the intention to moor in Poole. He was spotted off Hengistbury Head and during a mobile telephone conversation with his wife at 10.30pm he had reaffirmed that he was heading towards Poole.

The 19ft white and light blue yacht 'She'll Do' was found by Mudeford's Inshore Lifeboat washed up at Double Dykes, Hengistbury Head. It had some visible damage, a missing rudder and the navigation lights were still on. His mobile phone was also onboard.

Swanage ILB, Yarmouth ALB and Lymington ILB were also launched to search an extensive area from the Needles to Studland Bay and back to Hurst Castle. Whiskey Bravo and India Juliet helicopters also joined the search which was co-ordinated by Portland Coastguard.

It was thought that he was wearing a lifejacket.

At mid afternoon, after 10.5 hours at sea, the lifeboats' search was scaled down.

To date nothing has been found.

ILB Crew
Gavin McGuinness - Helmsman, Stuart Newcombe - Helmsman, Richard Skerman - Crew, Mike Fearn - Crew.

ALB Crew

Jonathan Clark - Coxswain, James Haw Elton - Mechanic, Steve Axtell - Crew, Andy Elton - Crew, Anne Millman - Crew, Alex Griffiths - Crew, John Vine - Crew.