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Lone yachtsman adrift near Alwyn North platform in North Sea | Lone yachtsman adrift near Alwyn North platform in North Sea |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A rescue operation has been launched in the North Sea for an 82-year-old yachtsman whose stricken boat was drifting towards an oil 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 Total's Alwyn North platform. | It came within half a mile of Total's Alwyn North platform. |
A Norwegian coastguard vessel was sent to the scene to take the yacht under tow, but bad weather was hampering the operation. | A Norwegian coastguard vessel was sent to the scene to take the yacht under tow, but bad weather was hampering the operation. |
Yachtsman Julian Mustoe, who is believed to live aboard the boat, had earlier refused an offer to be airlifted to safety by a Norwegian helicopter. | |
Mr Mustoe, an experienced sailor, has previously 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 | 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. |
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, said it had 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 Alwyn North platform. | A Total spokesperson said: "Last night a small yacht was reported to be drifting within a half mile of Total's Alwyn North platform. |
"The Coastguard and the Alywn North's Emergency Response Vessel (ERV) offered support to the yacht. | "The Coastguard and the Alywn North'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. | "At all times the situation was closely monitored and under control by both the coastguard and the ERV. |
"The Alwyn North platform did not go to muster and no plans were made for evacuation." | "The Alwyn North platform did not go to muster and no plans were made for evacuation." |