Rescue 117 locates yacht which went missing on journey to Cork but skipper not on board

This afternoon, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was advised of a possible sighting of the 'Minke' approximately 75 miles south east of Ballycotton

Duncan Lougee and his yacht 'Minke' were due to arrive in Baltimore, West Cork on June 23. Picture: Facebook

Rescue crews searching for an English sailor who went missing on a journey to West Cork located and searched his yacht this afternoon, but found no one on board. 

Duncan Lougee from Suffolk set sail from Plymouth on June 18. He was taking part in the 2023 Jester Challenge - a non-racing 250 nautical mile sail to Baltimore in West Cork, via the Isles of Scilly. He was last seen near the Helford River in the south of England on the afternoon of Monday, June 19.