Lone yachtsman, 82, hits trouble in very rough seas

Shetland Coastguard is co-ordinating a rescue of round-the-world lone yachtsman Julian Mustoe, who has sailed into trouble in the Dunbar field 100 nautical miles north-east of Lerwick.

The 82-year-old notified Shetland Coastguard that he had lost steering on his yacht Harrier of Down in south-easterly gales when his rudder broke about 9pm on Tuesday.

Initially the vessel Vos Prospector which was in the area stood by, and then the Norwegian Coastguard sent the cutter KV Bergen to assist. Mr Mustoe refused to leave his vessel, and due to the weather the coastguard has been unable to take the yacht under tow.

According to Shetland Coastguard, Mr Mustoe had been drifting close to the North Alwyn oil rig and the Norwegian cutter is currently alongside Harrier, waiting for the weather to abate. The yacht will eventually be towed into Bergen.

Shetland Coastguard said that conditions in the area are due to remain poor all day, with severe gale force winds and the sea state “very rough”, improving tomorrow morning.