A British sailor is feared missing after his yacht was discovered wrecked off the French coast as Storm Herminia ravaged the area. The 73-year-old triggered an emergency signal on Saturday when he encountered trouble around 50 miles west of Lacanau, according to a statement by the Préfecture maritime de l’Atlantique.
The French air force was deployed in an effort to locate him but found only his yacht adrift in the Bay of Biscay, reports the Mirror. A French helicopter team later spotted the 12-metre-long boat.
The British mariner had reportedly indicated he was alone aboard, safe, and intending to continue his journey despite the alert. When communication with him ceased, a search operation ensued for the vessel, which bore an American flag.
Assistance from a Portuguese freighter and a Spanish hospital ship was enlisted along with French naval forces. Nevertheless, the search was abandoned around 1:33am on Sunday “due to a lack of information.”
Named by Spanish meteorologists expecting the severest impact, Storm Herminia unleashed severe rain and winds with northern Spain and western France bearing the brunt.
Wind speeds surpassing 62mph and floodwaters inundated buildings and vehicles in the French west. This incident unfolded while western Europe was still reeling from the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.
Storm Eowyn claimed two lives after it brought strong gusts and heavy rain across much of the UK and Ireland.
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