POLICE have issued an update after a missing sailor’s boat was discovered abandoned.

Duncan Lougee, 70, from Dedham set sail from Plymouth on June 18.

He was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge.

Mr Lougee had been due to arrive in County Cork, Ireland on June 22.

However, there had been no contact with him since he left the UK.

The Minke, Mr Lougee’s 25ft fibreglass boat was found on Thursday (June 29) 70 miles north-west of Trevose Head, Cornwall.

Mr Lougee was not on board.

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The coastguard said the search for Mr Lougee had been called off following the discovery of his boat after “the period of survivability had passed”.

Detective Inspector Daniel Massey, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Yacht Minke has been brought to shore and is currently docked in Padstow Harbour.

“We continue to liaise with partners including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and the coroner’s office in relation this matter.

“Whilst Mr Lougee remains officially a missing person, responsibility of searches in open water sits with the coastguard.

“However, yacht Minke has been missing since it left Plymouth on June 18, and initial inquires appear to show no fresh entries in the ships journal for at least nine days.

“Therefore, due to the potentially vast and prohibitive area of search at sea, at this time there is currently no new searches planned by Coastguard.

“This matter will remain under review and if any fresh information comes to light, this will be assessed accordingly.

“We have informed the family of these initial updates and our thoughts are with them at this time.

The family of Duncan Lougee have asked for privacy.”