73 Year Old British Sailor Missing at Sea as Storm Herminia Hits French Coast

A British sailor went missing at sea when his yacht was discovered wrecked off the southwest French coast during heavy storms. The search for the 73-year-old man took place as Storm Herminia battered western France. The national weather agency in France issued a red alert for the Ile-et-Vilaine department due to the threat of severe flooding. The distress beacon of the yacht was detected about 80 km west of Lacanau, prompting a helicopter to be dispatched to the scene.

The helicopter sent divers to investigate and they found an empty life raft, but no sign of the sailor. A cargo vessel and the Spanish hospital ship Esperanza del Mar were also involved in the search efforts. Despite several hours of searching, no new information was found, leading to the suspension of the search in the early hours of Sunday. The sailor’s fate remains unknown as the maritime authorities continue to monitor the situation.

The incident highlights the dangers that sailors face when navigating treacherous waters during severe weather conditions. The search and rescue efforts demonstrate the collaborative efforts of multiple teams and vessels in trying to locate the missing sailor. The maritime authorities are working diligently to gather any new information that may help in finding the British sailor and bringing closure to his loved ones.

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