Emergency air search as Jersey boat goes 'missing'

Thursday 14 March 2019

An emergency air search has been launched across the Channel Islands for a boat that issued a distress call in the early hours after failing to make its journey from Jersey to Guernsey last night.

A spokesperson for Ports of Jersey said that the search is an “ongoing incident” as the Channel Islands Air Search plane is still in the air looking for the vessel known as 'Delta Boy' or 'Delta Buoy'.

They told Express that Jersey Coastguard was notified at around 23:00 last night that someone was planning to take their boat out to travel between Jersey and Guernsey, with an expected arrival time of 00:30 this morning.

Pictured: The vessel had been travelling to Guernsey, aiming to arrive at 00:30.

The Ports of Jersey have said that at the moment, it is not known whether a distress call made to Guernsey Coastguard in the early hours of this morning, came from the boat making its way from Jersey to Guernsey, but the Coastguard are appealing for information about a vessel known as 'Delta Boy' or 'Delta Buoy'.

As a result of this, a decision was taken at 07:30 this morning to send the Channel Islands Air Search to locate the boat.

The spokesperson emphasised that “no one has been reported missing from either island” and that they have no further information about who is on board.

Last night, the Jersey Coastguard issued an 'orange' weather warning to mariners. They warned of strong wind - a west severe gale of Force 9.

The Coastguard is now appealing for anyone with information about the boat called 'Delta Boy' or 'Delta Buoy' to get in touch with them as a matter of urgency on 01534 447705.

Follow Express for updates…