Poor visibility thwarts search

2005-09-25 20:28

Durban - Poor visibility has put paid to efforts to identify a yacht spotted earlier in the day and thought to be the missing Moquini, the Mauritius to Durban Yacht Race organising committee said on Sunday night.

"News just received from the pilot of the aeroplane searching for the missing yacht, Moquini, is that the visibility in the search following a possible sighting was very poor - and that they could not locate the vessel. The search will continue tomorrow (Monday)," spokesman Richard Crockett said.

The aircraft was sent out to search the sea at a position 289 nautical miles off Durban after a yacht which could possibly be the missing Moquini was spotted in the area.

Another aircraft responsible for searching the area along the coast of Madagascar spotted the yacht while it was flying 39 000 feet above sea level, on its way to back to Durban.

"We sent out another aircraft to search because the area where the other yacht was spotted is in the direct runline which means in a straight line from the Moquini's last known position to Durban," said race organiser David Claxton earlier in the day.

In all three aircraft were involved in the private search for the missing yacht after the airforce called off its search last week.

Claxton said if it was the Moquini that was spotted it was not expected to arrive in Durban before Wednesday.

"If it is the Moquini and the crew is alright we would organise for them to get fresh supplies," Claxton said.

- SAPA