Missing yachtsman: Coastguard issues North sea appeal

69-year-old from North Yorkshire has not been in contact with his family for a week

A coastguard has made an appeal over a missing yachtsman who has not been in contact with his family for a week.

The 69-year-old from North Yorkshire, who has not been named, was last seen in the Keil Canal in Brunsbuttel, Germany and spoke to his son by telephone last Friday to say he was planning his journey home in his 17ft yacht Equinox.

Humber Coastguard said it deployed an air search and rescue craft after being contacted by the man's family yesterday.

The search resumed today.

An alert has been put out to French, Belgian and Dutch coastguards and police have logged a missing person's alert with Interpol, the coastguard said.

In a statement the coastguard said: "Humber Coastguard request any vessel who believes they may have sighted the yacht to urgently contact any Coastguard Station with information."

PA