Search for missing Channel Islands sailor called off

Coastguards first received an emergency call late on Wednesday night

A search off the Channel Islands for a missing sailor has been called off after seven hours.

Jersey Coastguard received a call at about 23:00 GMT on Wednesday from a sailor planning to travel to Guernsey.

Guernsey Coastguard received a call for assistance at 04:00, but rescuers said they did not know if it came from the same person.

An aerial search in "poor" conditions ended at 15:10, Jersey Coastguard said.

The man was expected to arrive in Guernsey from Jersey at about 00:30, but he never did. However, no-one has been reported missing in either island.

Jersey Coastguard is still appealing to anyone with information about a vessel known as "Delta Boy" or "Delta Buoy" to contact them.

'Horrendous' conditions

Guernsey Coastguard received a spoken word "Pan-pan" call, indicating an urgent situation that does not pose an immediate danger.

The call was responded to but no further information was received, it said.

Channel Islands Air Search Chief Officer John Fitzgerald said the air search began at 07:30 in "pretty horrendous" conditions.

It was co-ordinated by Jersey Coastguard, who said it covered rough seas between Jersey and Guernsey, coastal areas and checks of Jersey's St Aubin and Guernsey's St Peter Port harbours.

"Survivability criteria has been taken into consideration, including the current sea temperature and prevailing weather conditions," Jersey Coastguard said.

The incident will remain open pending any further information, it added.