Police dive teams search Brighton Marina for missing yachtsman Len King
The 74-year-old went missing earlier this month after his yacht was found drifting off Brighton
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.
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