Falmouth Coastguard co-ordinated the search for a missing Master on 13 December 2000 after he disappeared from the German container vessel `Stuttgart Express'.  He went missing after checking the refrigerated cargo on board the deck when she was 200 miles west of Lands End.

The vessel was heading towards Europe when the crew noticed his disappearance after he failed to check in on the bridge as usual at 16:00 hrs. His last known sighting was at 13:00 hrs when he told colleagues he was about to go on deck.

A thorough search of the vessel was carried out by the crew, and by 17:00 hrs the `Stuttgart Express' was turned back to begin a sweep of the area planned by Falmouth Coastguard after taking wind and sea conditions into account that existed between his last known sighting earlier in the day and 16:00 hrs when he was due on the bridge.

Falmouth Coastguard were unable to launch any rescue aircraft into the area to assist in the search as the distances involved would mean that any helicopter would be working at the very limits of its capabilities - and in darkness. They could only be used if the man - who is in his 50's - was spotted in the water, kept in sight, and the helicopter was able to go straight to his position.

Equally a Nimrod aircraft would not be able to contribute much by searching for such a small target in the confused and mountainous swells that exist in those open seas. Gales had been sweeping through the area throughout the day with winds being recorded at severe gale 9 to storm force 10, although that calmed later in the evening to southwesterly force 6.

Few vessels responded to the coastguards call for assistance, but a successful outcome to the search and rescue was limited given the sea temperature of about 10 degrees at this time of year compounded by the knowledge that the man was not wearing any life saving equipment when he went on deck.