Abandoned boat sparks major search for 'missing sailor'

AN air sea search launched after an abandoned dinghy was found adrift off Bull Point near Mortehoe has been called off after the owners were discovered safe and well – in South Wales. The small green boat was discovered by the dive boat Obsession II on Fr

AN air sea search launched after an abandoned dinghy was found adrift off Bull Point near Mortehoe has been called off after the owners were discovered safe and well - in South Wales.

The small green boat was discovered by the dive boat Obsession II on Friday afternoon, containing two fishing rods, a paddle, a green jacket, a packed lunch and a South West Evening Post newspaper dated Friday the 13th.

Swansea Coastguard co-ordinated a wide search involving the Chivenor helicopter and RNLI crews from Ilfracombe and Appledore.

But the "Marie Celeste" riddle was solved when the coastguard contacted police in Swansea and it transpired the "missing sailors" were in fact safe and well.

Two anglers had somehow become parted with their dinghy in the shallow waters of Swansea Bay on Friday and unable to recover it had watched it drift out to sea, but it is thought the incident was not reported.

"As far as we know it was as they left it," said a Swansea Coastguard spokesman, "with two fishing rods, sandwiches and a paper dated Friday 13th!