Police search for missing yachtsman
Yachting & Boating World: The 74-year-old went missing earlier this month after his yacht was found drifting off Brighton. Police dive teams have begun carrying out underwater searches in Brighton Marina in a bid to find missing yachtsman Len King.
Sussex Police began their operations on Monday and are expected to finish on Wednesday. The 74-year-old from East Sussex went missing on 9 November after his 70ft Sunseeker Stefefree was found unmanned, banging into the marina wall.
Sussex Police said in a statement: “Divers from Sussex Police’s Specialist Search Unit have been undertaking a search at Brighton Marina in connection with the disappearance of yachtsman Len King on November 9.
“The search is a part of enquiries ongoing into his disappearance. The search on Wednesday started again at 10am inside the marina arm.”
Mr King’s wife raised concerns for his safety late on the Sunday after he failed to return home from a solo sailing trip.
A major search operation was launched immediately after, involving several RNLI lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter, but was sadly unable to find any trace of the missing yachtsman and was later suspended on 10 November.
Speaking of his disappearance, Mr King’s wife Stephanie has previously said: “Len is an experienced yachtsman and has been sailing since he was at least 20. Normally we go together but during the week if its calm weather he may go off by himself.
“He went off just before lunch. I was expecting him home for dinner time. I phoned him several times but his phone was unable to connect so I thought he was on his way back. I called the person who has a boat next to us and he thought we were away.
“I can’t understand what has happened. He is a very experienced yachtsman. He has all his equipment doubled up and is always careful. That is the way he runs things.”
Officers are liaising with Mr King’s family as they continue enquiries surrounding his disappearance.
