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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Brighton search for missing yachtsman abandoned | Brighton search for missing yachtsman abandoned |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The search for the skipper of a yacht found abandoned near Brighton Marina has been called off and a missing person inquiry is under way. | The search for the skipper of a yacht found abandoned near Brighton Marina has been called off and a missing person inquiry 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. | A spokesman for HM Coastguard said nothing had been found during extensive searches and crews were stood down at 11:30 GMT. |
| The missing man has been named by police as Len King, 74, from Alfriston, East Sussex. | The missing man has been named by police as Len King, 74, 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. |
| 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 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. |
| In a statement issued through Sussex Police, Mr King's wife Stephanie said her husband had been sailing since he was at least 20. | |
| She said: "Normally we go together but during the week, if it's calm weather, he may go off by himself." | She said: "Normally we go together but during the week, if it's calm weather, he may go off by himself." |
| 'Always careful' | 'Always careful' |
| Mrs King said he went off just before lunch on Sunday and had been expected home by dinnertime. | |
| When she phoned him several times the phone was unable to connect. | When she phoned him several times the phone was unable to connect. |
| "I can't understand what has happened," she said. | "I can't understand what has happened," she said. |
| "He is a very experienced yachtsman. He has all his equipment doubled up and is always careful. That is the way he runs things." | "He is a very experienced yachtsman. He has all his equipment doubled up and is always careful. That is the way he runs things." |
| 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. |
| Coastguards told BBC reporter Jon Hunt divers would examine the vessel to see if there was any mechanical explanation for what happened. | |
| Insp Roy Apps said it remained unclear what had happened to Mr King. | Insp Roy Apps said it remained unclear what had happened to Mr King. |
| He said: "The search is currently suspended and we are liaising with his family as we investigate the circumstances of his disappearance." | He said: "The search is currently suspended and we are liaising with his family as we investigate the circumstances of his disappearance." |