UK registered ‘Minke’ left Plymouth on June 18th and was due in Baltimore on June 22nd
The Irish Coast Guard, which had been liaising with HM Coastguard based at Falmouth, Englang, received a report on Thursday afternoon of a boat matching the description of the Minke off east Cork.
The Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter Rescue 117 was tasked to investigate. Shortly after 4.30pm it located the yacht 75 nautical miles southeast of Ballycotton.A winchman was lowered on to the eight metre yacht and he reported there was no trace of anyone on board, prompting fears for Mr Lougee’s safety.
The Irish Coast Guard is liaising with HM Coast Guard as the vessel is in the British search and rescue zone and efforts are currently underway to secure the vessel and bring her under tow to land. Mr Lougee, who was in his late 60s and from Dedham, Essex, is described as “an experienced sailor having navigated the Atlantic three times solo, from Plymouth to Azores and back”.
A yacht broker and boat builder, he had also made the trip from Devon to Baltimore previously. He took part in the Jester Challenge in 2010, sailing solo from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island.Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cork boss on champ schedule: 'The one criticism I have is the three weeks in a row'Cork boss John Cleary: 'The one criticism I have is the three weeks in a row'
Read more »
Cork man gets keys to his new home after living in an abattoir for 40 yearsJohn has spent the last four decades living in a slaughterhouse in Cork - but now he has finally been handed the keys to a home in Madden's Buildings in Blackpool
Read more »
Home at last: man (62) gets council property after 40 years living in Cork slaughterhouseJohn O’Donnell, who cannot read or write and has never had a home, worked in the slaughterhouse by day as a younger man and slept in the canteen at night. When it later closed down, he remained in the derelict site with his dog.
Read more »
‘Cork by the grace of God’: Census figures show which counties have most native-born residentsNew figures from the Census show which counties keep most of their citizens and which don’t
Read more »
Call for regeneration of Cork’s English Market - 'Sometimes you take things for granted'Newly-appointed Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy has said there needs to be business plan for the market
Read more »
Bridgewater Homes plans €123.6 million development in CorkThe property developer plans to build the mix of houses, apartments and duplexes at a site in Bishopstown in Cork city
Read more »