20 June 2008

Shetland and Norwegian coastguard teams are searching for missing 21ft yacht participating in the annual Bergen to Shetland race.

The two female sailors on board the Paradis failed to reach Lerwick yesterday. All the other yachts arrived safely during the afternoon and evening of yesterday.

Shetland Coastguard helicopter Rescue 102 and the Lerwick Lifeboat were launched to search the area out to 30 miles east of the isles, but nothing was found.

They have since requested the assistance of a Nimrod aircraft from RAF Kinloss.

The Norwegian authorities have requested the assistance of a Sea King helicopter and a P3 Orion aircraft, which were expected to be on scene by 8am this morning.

The last contact made with the Paradis was at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon. The two crew on board are understood to be from the Bergen yachting club.

The weather in the area is force 7 winds gusting to force 8 with rough seas.

Shetland Coastguard watch manager Dave Phillips said: "We have been attempting to contact the yacht via their on board radio and the crew's mobile phones without success and have also issued a Pan Pan urgency broadcast.

“A full scale search has been launched for the sailing yacht Paradis and we are working closely with the Norwegian authorities to ensure that an intensive search of the area between Norway and Shetland is undertaken.”