Search for missing Essex sailor stood down after boat found
His boat's been found, without him on board
Searches for a missing sailor from Colchester have been stood down.
It's after Duncan Lougee's boat was found - without him on board.
The Coastguard told us, in a statement: "The search for the yacht Minke and its skipper, who was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge, from Plymouth to Baltimore, Ireland, has been stood down.
"The yacht was found yesterday (29 June) approx. 70 miles North West off Trevose Head, Cornwall, sadly the skipper was not on the vessel."
The yacht Minke was brought to shore and is currently docked in Padstow Harbour under the supervision of the Devon and Cornwall Police. Detective Inspector Daniel Massey confirmed that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with various organizations, including The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and The Coroner's Office.
While Lougee remains officially classified as a missing person, responsibility for searches in open water lies with the Coastguard. However, due to the lack of fresh entries in the yacht's journal for at least nine days, and the expansive and challenging search area at sea, no further searches are planned by the Coastguard at this time.
The decision to halt the search was made after it became evident that the period of survivability had passed. A spokesperson from HM Coastguard stated, "Extensive searches were carried out and coordinated by HM Coastguard until the yacht was found. The search was terminated once it became clear that the period of survivability had passed."
Duncan worked for Clarke and Carter, an international yacht brokers based in Suffolk.
On their website, he's described as "a key member of the Suffolk team, bringing a huge technical knowledge of yacht construction gained from professional boat building over a number of years.
"He is our classic yacht expert and also a very experienced single handed sailor. In 2010 he took part in the Jester Challenge sailing single handed from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island in his Rustler 31 which has since been replaced by a classic trimaran."
What happened?
Duncan Lougee set off from Plymouth on 18th June in his boat, The Minke, a 25ft fibreglass folkboat with a white hull and white sails.
He was expected arrive in Baltimore, Ireland four days later, on 22nd June, but there's been no contact since he set sail.
The skipper was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge, with a plan to sail the route via the Isles of Scilly.
All other vessels taking part in the challenge are accounted for.
Detective Inspector Daniel Massey assured the public that the case would remain under review, and any new information would be assessed accordingly. The authorities have been in contact with Lougee's family, providing them with these initial updates and offering their condolences during this difficult time. The family has requested privacy to grieve their loss.