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Concern grows for missing boatman Concern for missing boatman, 80
(18 minutes later)
Concern is growing for a man whose empty boat was found drifting off the coast of Cornwall on Monday. Concern is growing for an 80-year-old man whose empty boat was found drifting off the coast of Cornwall on Monday.
The boat Midnight Oil was last seen leaving Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire on Saturday. Peter Smith, from Gosport, Hampshire, was last seen leaving Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire in his boat Midnight Oil on Saturday morning.
A Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, the St Ives lifeboat and HMS Severn, a naval vessel, searched the area where the boat was found. A search involving a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, the St Ives lifeboat and HMS Severn was called off on Monday evening.
Clothing and belongings were found on board the Midnight Oil which is a converted ex-lifeboat. Police said they were treating the incident as a missing person inquiry.
Clothing and belongings were found on board the Midnight Oil, a converted former lifeboat.
It was found floating 23 miles west north west from Trevose Head by a Belgian fishing boat, the Maria Louise, at about 1115 BST.It was found floating 23 miles west north west from Trevose Head by a Belgian fishing boat, the Maria Louise, at about 1115 BST.
They reported that the engine of the 40ft (12.2m) boat was cold but that they could re-start it quickly.They reported that the engine of the 40ft (12.2m) boat was cold but that they could re-start it quickly.
Mechanical problems
The helicopter searched the area three miles in every direction from where the boat was found and re-traced the possible course of the boat back to Milford Haven, said a spokesman for the RAF.The helicopter searched the area three miles in every direction from where the boat was found and re-traced the possible course of the boat back to Milford Haven, said a spokesman for the RAF.
Falmouth Coastguard, who co-ordinated the search, said Midnight Oil was taken to St Ives in north Cornwall. Falmouth Coastguard, who co-ordinated the search, said Midnight Oil was towed to St Ives in north Cornwall at 1800 BST on Monday.
The RAF spokesman said that over the weekend, winds were described as westerly blowing at about 20 to 30 knots. On Monday they were blowing at around 10 to 15 knots. Devon and Cornwall Police said the vessel had been experiencing mechanical problems but that Mr Smith had taken it for repairs in Milford Haven and had been making his way back to Gosport.
The RAF spokesman said that over the weekend, winds were described as westerly blowing at about 20 to 30 knots. On Monday the winds were about 10 to 15 knots.
"If you are in a small boat you are going to know about it if the wind is blowing at around 20 to 30 knots," added the spokesman."If you are in a small boat you are going to know about it if the wind is blowing at around 20 to 30 knots," added the spokesman.