The French Navy received a distress call from a British single-handed sailor at around 3 p.m. last Saturday. The 73-year-old is said to have been about 50 miles west of Lacanau near Bordeaux at the time, according to several British media reports. Shortly beforehand, the stricken vessel had radioed a nearby cargo ship to say it was safe and to continue on its course. He had not responded to several radio messages the day before.
Ghost ship washes up in the Bay of Biscay
However, around two and a half hours later, a French air force helicopter found the damaged yacht. The "Tiger PA", around twelve metres long and flying the American flag, had washed ashore in the Bay of Biscay. The divers who were then lowered down found no trace of the man. A Portuguese cargo ship diverted to the area, a Spanish hospital ship and a French Navy Falcon 50 aircraft deployed at nightfall were also unable to locate the missing sailor. At around 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, the search was discontinued without success.
More dramatic maritime emergencies:
Northern Spain and the west of France were hit by the storm "Herminia" at the weekend with heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm is currently not only making it difficult for some Vendée Globe participants to cross the finish line and preventing them from entering the harbour of Les Sables-d'Olonne, but has also flooded cars and buildings in western France. French news channels reported gusts of up to 85 knots in the Atlantic.
The Bay of Biscay is generally regarded as one of the most challenging sea regions in the world for sailors. The Bay, which stretches along the west coast of France to the north coast of Spain, is known for its unpredictable weather conditions and strong currents.
Max Gasser
Editor Test & Technology
