SOLENT COASTGUARD SEEK OWNER OF DRIFTING CRUISER

Solent Coastguard launched a full-scale air and sea search in the early hours of 13 April 2001 for the potentially missing occupants of a 14ft cabin cruiser found drifting near the main shipping channel in Southampton Water.

The cruiser was first spotted at 5 a.m. by the dredger 'Blue Fin' and the Harbour Master together with the Southampton Coastguard Rescue Team recovered the boat along with debris found in the sea.

Another earlier siting of people fishing from a small craft nearby prompted the search which included the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee on Solent, the RNLI lifeboat form Calshot, the Hamble independent rescue lifeboat and the Harbour Master's launch.

Nothing has so far been found and the search is now being scaled down.

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager, Mick Hathaway commented:

"Although we are scaling down the search with nothing found, the vessel is unnamed and we are anxious to trace the owner of this small, newly launched 14.6ft fibre glass safe cabin cruiser with a light blue hull and based in the Southampton Water area."