Search for 'no EPIRB' yacht on voyage to Bermuda is suspended

by Lee Mylchreest on 26 Dec 2010 The search by US Coast Guard for a 31ft yacht described as 'in poor condition' and missing on a voyage from the Dominican Republic to Bermuda has been suspended pending further information.

Citing several reasons for concern including the condition of the sailing vessel, the apparent lack of experience of the crew and their lack of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, RCC Bermuda reported that they asked the US Coast Guard to assist in relocating the vessel, which had earlier received help from a passing merchant ship.

A US Coast Guard aircraft searched for the yacht crewed by two Bermudian men but did not turn up any trace of the missing vessel.

Carefree has not been seen since December 18. The 31-foot yacht left the Dominican Republic on December 1 and had been due to arrive in Bermuda yesterday. But it has not been heard from since Saturday when the vessel took on emergency supplies of food and water from a passing merchant ship.

A US Coast Guard aircraft stationed in North Carolina spent five hours criss-crossing a 10,000-mile area of the Atlantic some 200 miles southwest of Bermuda but was unable to locate the yacht. The C-130 aircraft resumed its search for a second day.

Yesterday US Coast Guard officials said: 'The missing sailors were transiting from the Dominican Republic to Bermuda when they contacted Rescue Co-ordination Center Bermuda requesting assistance because they had run out of food, water and gasoline.

'On Wednesday, RCC Bermuda diverted a merchant vessel whose crew was able to supply the two sailors with 60 gallons of water and enough food for 7 to 10 days. They were unable to provide any gasoline but the crew of the merchant vessel noted that the sails, although in poor condition, were usable. After the merchant vessel left the scene the RCC lost all communication with the two sailors.'

'The vessel is described as a UK registered, 31-foot ketch sailing vessel with a white hull and a maroon dodger covering the cockpit. The RCC and Coast Guard are asking anyone with information on the sailing vessel to make reports to RCC Bermuda at 1-441-297-1010 or RCC Norfolk, Va., at 757-398-6390.'

RCC Bermuda has been in contact with authorities in the Dominican Republic who are also carrying out port checks to see if the vessel may have returned south and continue with Urgent Marine Information Broadcasts to vessels transiting the area South and East of Bermuda.

However the search by air has been suspended pending new information while merchant vessels transiting the area continue to keep a sharp lookout.'