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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brighton search for missing yachtsman abandoned | Brighton search for missing yachtsman abandoned |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The search for the skipper of a yacht found abandoned off Brighton Marina has been called off and a missing person search is under way. | The search for the skipper of a yacht found abandoned off Brighton Marina has been called off and a missing person search is under way. |
| A spokesman for HM Coastguard said nothing had been found during extensive searches and crews were stood down at 11:30 GMT pending further information. | A spokesman for HM Coastguard said nothing had been found during extensive searches and crews were stood down at 11:30 GMT pending further information. |
| The BBC understands the missing man is Leonard George King, from Alfriston, East Sussex. | The BBC understands the missing man is Leonard George King, from Alfriston, East Sussex. |
| A friend reported him missing when he did not return home on Sunday evening. | A friend reported him missing when he did not return home on Sunday evening. |
| Crashed into wall | Crashed into wall |
| Mr King had set out to sail alone from Brighton to Newhaven. | Mr King had set out to sail alone from Brighton to Newhaven. |
| His Sunseeker yacht is believed to have been on autopilot when it drifted back to the marina and crashed into a wall with no-one on board. | His Sunseeker yacht is believed to have been on autopilot when it drifted back to the marina and crashed into a wall with no-one on board. |
| Three lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were involved in the search, which began shortly after 22:00 GMT on Sunday. | Three lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were involved in the search, which began shortly after 22:00 GMT on Sunday. |
| It was hampered by storms overnight but resumed at first light in rough seas. | It was hampered by storms overnight but resumed at first light in rough seas. |
| RNLI vessels from Brighton, Shoreham and Newhaven were involved in the operation along with the coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. | RNLI vessels from Brighton, Shoreham and Newhaven were involved in the operation along with the coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. |
| HM Coastguard said extensive shoreline searches had been carried out around Brighton Marina, between Shoreham and Newhaven and as far out as 2.5 miles off shore. | HM Coastguard said extensive shoreline searches had been carried out around Brighton Marina, between Shoreham and Newhaven and as far out as 2.5 miles off shore. |
| The helicopter had undertaken a search out to mid-Channel. | The helicopter had undertaken a search out to mid-Channel. |
| "Despite these extensive searches, nothing has been found. Unless any new information comes to light, the search has been suspended," a spokesman said. | "Despite these extensive searches, nothing has been found. Unless any new information comes to light, the search has been suspended," a spokesman said. |
| Coastguard officers told BBC reporter Jon Hunt that a team of divers would examine the vessel to see if there was any mechanical explanation for the mishap. | |
| They said the yacht was taking on water, but was not sinking. | |
| Sussex Police said its officers were "assisting with land-based inquiries". | Sussex Police said its officers were "assisting with land-based inquiries". |