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Lone yachtsman adrift near North Alwyn North Sea platform Lone yachtsman adrift near North Alwyn North Sea platform
(about 1 hour later)
A rescue operation is under way in the North Sea for an 82-year-old yachtsman whose stricken boat was drifting towards an oil and gas platform.A rescue operation is under way in the North Sea for an 82-year-old yachtsman whose stricken boat was drifting towards an oil and gas platform.
The 25-foot Harrier of Down lost steering on Tuesday evening about 100 miles off the coast of Shetland.The 25-foot Harrier of Down lost steering on Tuesday evening about 100 miles off the coast of Shetland.
It came within half a mile of the North Alwyn platform and helicopters were put on standby to evacuate 162 workers. It came within half a mile of Total's North Alwyn platform.
A Norwegian coastguard vessel is now at the scene and plans to take the yacht under tow. A Norwegian coastguard vessel was sent to the scene to take the yacht under tow, but bad weather was hampering the operation.
The yachtsman, who is believed to live aboard his boat, had earlier refused an offer to be airlifted to safety by a Norwegian helicopter.The yachtsman, who is believed to live aboard his boat, had earlier refused an offer to be airlifted to safety by a Norwegian helicopter.
The yacht is thought to belong to Julian Mustoe, who has written a book about his circumnavigation of the globe, retracing Charles Darwin's voyage of The Beagle.The yacht is thought to belong to Julian Mustoe, who has written a book about his circumnavigation of the globe, retracing Charles Darwin's voyage of The Beagle.
The alert was raised shortly before 20:50 by the crew of an offshore supply vessel.The alert was raised shortly before 20:50 by the crew of an offshore supply vessel.
Difficult conditions
They were concerned for the safety of the yachtsman, believed to be sailing from Lerwick to Norway.They were concerned for the safety of the yachtsman, believed to be sailing from Lerwick to Norway.
The 162 people aboard the North Alwyn platform were put on muster, and helicopters put on standby to take them off, as the yacht drifted close by.
A diving support vessel moved alongside the yacht while the Norwegian coastguard cutter was sent from Bergen.A diving support vessel moved alongside the yacht while the Norwegian coastguard cutter was sent from Bergen.
It now plans to tow the yacht to Norway.It now plans to tow the yacht to Norway.
Shetland coastguard, which is coordinating the operation, says it has been made much more difficult because of the weather conditions. Shetland coastguard, which is coordinating the operation, said it had been made much more difficult because of the weather conditions.
But the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the yachtsman was not believed to be in any imminent danger.But the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the yachtsman was not believed to be in any imminent danger.
A Total spokesperson said: "Last night a small yacht was reported to be drifting within a half mile of Total's North Alwyn platform.
"The Coastguard and the North Alywn's Emergency Response Vessel (ERV) offered support to the yacht.
"At all times the situation was closely monitored and under control by both the coastguard and the ERV.
"The North Alwyn platform did not go to muster and no plans were made for evacuation."