French sailor rescued after two days adrift in Channel

Image: Channel Islands Air Search

A French yachtsman has been found "safe and well" two days after he set sail from Jersey and his boat lost power.

The solo sailor left the Channel Island on Thursday 3 October and was later reported missing by a concerned family member.

On Saturday, the French Coastguard requested help from the Channel Islands Air Search plane to investigate an area 50 miles west of Guernsey.

The volunteer rescue crew spotted a yacht that matched the vessel's description adrift in choppy conditions.

After unsuccessfully trying to communicate directly with the yacht, the air search plane notified the French Coastguard and a lifeboat was sent to help.

The yachtsman was found to be "safe and well" and the vessel was towed to Trebeurden in Brittany where the occupant was reunited with his family.

James Way from Guernsey Coastguard paid tribute to the team from Channel Islands Air Search who helped: "We are delighted that the missing sailor was located safe and well and was able to be reunited with his family.

"This incident highlights the amazing capability of Channel Islands Air Search and the enormous value they provide to the Guernsey, Jersey, and French Coastguard services. It must be remembered that the crew are all volunteers, and our thanks go out to the team involved in today’s search and rescue for a job well done".

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