An urgent search has been launched for a missing yacht captain taking part in a solo challenge after contact was lost over a week ago.
Coastguard crews are desperately looking for Duncan Lougee, who left Plymouth on The Minke - a 26ft Varne folkboat - at midday on June 18 and was expected to arrive in Baltimore, Ireland, on June 22.
There has been no communication from the skipper since his departure, and six days after the vessel was due at her destination there has been no sign of it.
Mr Lougee was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge, with his plan to sail the route via the Isles of Scilly.
All other challenge vessels are accounted for.
The missing sailor is described as being in his late 60s, measuring 6ft1in and likely wearing glasses, musto oilskins and waterproof boots.
He was reportedly last seen near Helford River at 2pm on Monday, June 19.
The yacht is described as having a white hull and white sails, with her sail number FB597.
Mr Lougee is a yacht broker, boat builder and experienced sailor.
He has previously solo navigated crossing the Atlantic in three trips from Plymouth to Azores and back.
He has also done the same trip to Baltimore before.
Sailing blogger Sallu Lucy-Ann Stamford said on Monday: "All yachts and skippers have either arrived at Baltimore or retired to another port of their choice, with the exception of Duncan Lougee and his 25’ Folkboat Minke.
"Despite the best efforts of Falmouth MCA and the Irish Coastguard, including a fixed wing search of the area between the Scillies and Baltimore, Minke’s whereabouts are still unknown.
"Everyone involved in the search for Duncan and Minke is perplexed by the absence of any sign of her position.
"Duncan is carrying both an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Beacon) and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), neither of which have been activated.
"Conditions in the Celtic Sea have generally been benign throughout the last week, further contributing to the puzzle.
"Hope has not yet been lost that after some major setback, Duncan is still trying to reach a safe haven.
"This is a particularly difficult time for Duncan’s partner Louise, who is showing great fortitude during the wait for some firm news and the thoughts of all the Jester Challengers, past and present, are with her."
Boscastle Coastguard Team said: “HM Coastguard has issued regular broadcasts and liaised with the Irish Coastguard, UK police and the RNLI. If you have any information, please call the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 01326 317575.”
The Department of Transport said the Coast Guard is currently "collaborating with UK MCA [Maritime and Coastguard Agency] in assisting with a request for any sightings or reports of the yacht".
A spokesperson told the Irish Examiner: "Coast Guard is making local enquiries and broadcasting marine VHF messages, seeking any reports on sightings of the vessel."
The spokesperson added there have been no reports or information on the vessel being sighted in Irish waters, and that the operation is ongoing.
The Jester Challenge sees skippers set sail from Plymouth Breakwater or Pwllheli Sailing Club with the finish at Baltimore Haven, when the line between Barrack Point light on the western side of the entrance and Loo Rock buoy on the eastern side of the entrance is crossed.
The aim is to sail single-handed from Plymouth or from Pwllheli to Baltimore, Republic of Ireland, (ROI), a distance of about 250nm.
