News
Pensioner feared lost at sea: Yacht discovered 50 miles off Pembrokeshire coast
A PENSIONER is believed to be missing at sea after his unmanned yacht was located approximately 50 miles off the coast of Wales. Duncan Lougee, aged 70, had embarked on a solo voyage from Plymouth aboard his yacht named The Minke, with the intention of sailing to Ireland.
Mr. Lougee was en route to Baltimore and was expected to arrive on June 22, passing through the Isles of Scily as part of the Jester Challenge. However, no contact has been established with Mr. Lougee since his departure on June 18.
An Irish fishing vessel spotted the yacht on Thursday, June 29, prompting the Angle all-weather lifeboat to be dispatched by the Milford Haven Coastguard for a multi-agency search and rescue operation covering a round trip of 110 miles.
As the lifeboat reached the Minke, which was situated 50 miles west of St Anne’s Head in Pembrokeshire, an Irish coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, arrived at the scene.
A winchman descended onto the yacht, which had been overdue for six days, and confirmed that there was no one aboard.
Upon the arrival of the lifeboat, two crew members boarded the yacht to search for any information that could indicate the last known position of the missing sailor.
A spokesperson for Angle Lifeboat RNLI told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “At this point, R117 from Ireland departed and was replaced by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 from Newquay, Cornwall.
“Due to the nature of the incident and the expansive search area, a coastguard search plane, Rescue 51, had also been deployed and arrived at the scene, closely followed by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187 from St Athan. With our crew members now on board, new information was discovered, indicating the last recorded position of the occupant.
“As the lifeboat was out of VHF range, this information was relayed to Rescue 51 for communication to Falmouth Coastguard. Following their findings, all search assets were stood down as the new search area had significantly shifted south.'”
The Angle lifeboat crew then towed the yacht southward and met with Padstow lifeboat crews, who subsequently towed the vessel back to Padstow harbour.
Mr. Lougee, a resident of Colchester, Essex, remains a missing person, and Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that the search operation has been called off.
Detective Inspector Daniel Massey said: “Yacht Minke has been brought ashore and is currently docked in Padstow Harbour. We continue to collaborate with partners, including The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and The Coroner’s Office, regarding this matter. While Mr. Lougee remains officially missing, responsibility for searches in open waters lies with the Coastguard. However, since the yacht Minke has been missing since it departed from Plymouth on Sunday, June 18, and initial inquiries indicate no recent entries in the ship’s log for at least nine days, we have decided to end the search.”
A spokesperson from HM Coastguard added: “Extensive searches were conducted and coordinated by HM Coastguard, leading to the discovery of the yacht. The search was terminated once it became evident that the survivability period had elapsed.”
DI Massey further commented: “We will continue to review this matter, and any new information that emerges will be duly assessed. We have informed the family about these initial updates, and our thoughts are with them at this time. The family of Duncan Lougee has requested privacy.”
Crime
Jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
AMY Woolston, 20, of Vine Road, Johnston, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to six weeks in prison for breaching a domestic violence protection order.
On 15th May 2024, Woolston was found in the company of a man in a flat at The Farmers Arms, Market Street, Whitland, in violation of the order issued by Llanelli Magistrates Court on 10th May 2024.
The court deemed the offence serious due to the proximity to the original order and a previous breach involving the same victim. Woolston was not in custody and appeared unrepresented in court. Her total sentence length is 18 weeks.
The case was dealt with in Haverfordwest court on May 16.
News
Lease of former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse approved
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet has this week approved the transfer of the former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council.
The Cabinet approved a 21-year lease which will facilitate the Town Council’s plan to bring the premises back into use.
The future of the former Courthouse has been considered in detail, with the Town Council carrying out a public consultation on the community’s requirements, and the sites potential contribution to those local needs. The outcome of the consultation suggested that the local community wanted the building to be retained, refurbished and transformed into a multi- use centre.
Newcastle Emlyn Town Council intend to submit an application for funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund [UKSPF] in order to pay for the necessary restoration work. The funding is conditional upon the Town Council having a lease of sufficient term on the premises.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Alun Lenny commented: “The building as it currently stands is not needed for further use by the County Council and has been empty for some time. I welcome the Cabinet’s decision to approve the transfer of this asset to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council. The funding will ensure that the building is being used for the benefit of the town’s residents.
“This decision is in line with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Wellbeing Objectives: Enabling our communities and environment to be healthy, safe, and prosperous (Prosperous Communities).”
Crime
Teenagers fled from Pembroke RFC after setting spectators stand on fire
ON MONDAY (may 16) between the hours of 16:25 and 17:00, the spectators stand of Pembroke Rugby Football Club was deliberately set on fire, police have said.
Two males, aged between 17-19, fled from the club grounds immediately after the smoke plumes were noticed.
Both males were on dark framed push bikes and wearing dark coloured hooded jumpers.
Officers are asking if anyone who has any information or has witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area around these times, is asked to contact police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference: 24000446140
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
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