missing yacht cork

Fears for missing sailor as yacht found drifting crewless off Cork coast

Uk registered ‘minke’ left plymouth on june 18th and was due in baltimore on june 22nd.

The UK registered yacht Minke left Plymouth on June 18th and was due in Baltimore in Co Cork on June 22nd. Photograph: Jester Challenge/Wordpress

The Irish Coast Guard has located a British yacht missing for a week off the Cork coast but has found no trace of its lone crew member, who it is feared may have fallen overboard and been lost at sea.

The UK registered yacht Minke left Plymouth on June 18th to take part in the Jester Challenge, which involved 43 vessels heading for Baltimore in west Cork in a non-racing 250 nautical mile voyage.

The Minke was skippered and crewed by Duncan Lougee, an experienced yachtsman, and was due to arrive in Baltimore on June 22nd. A search operation was launched when the yacht failed to arrive.

The Minke, like the other boats participating in the challenge, should have taken a route via the Isles of Scilly and Mr Lougee was last seen near the Helford River estuary in Cornwall at 2pm on June 19th.

Things can only get better? Rishi Sunak’s election chant reckoning was perfection

Robert De Niro’s raging at Trump outside courthouse was an extraordinary moment in American public life

Midlands-North-West: Battle for final seat could end with a small party making a breakthrough

100 great restaurants and places to eat around Ireland this summer

The Irish Coast Guard, which had been liaising with HM Coastguard based at Falmouth, Englang, received a report on Thursday afternoon of a boat matching the description of the Minke off east Cork.

The Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter Rescue 117 was tasked to investigate. Shortly after 4.30pm it located the yacht 75 nautical miles southeast of Ballycotton.

A winchman was lowered on to the eight metre yacht and he reported there was no trace of anyone on board, prompting fears for Mr Lougee’s safety.

The Irish Coast Guard is liaising with HM Coast Guard as the vessel is in the British search and rescue zone and efforts are currently underway to secure the vessel and bring her under tow to land.

Mr Lougee, who was in his late 60s and from Dedham, Essex, is described as “an experienced sailor having navigated the Atlantic three times solo, from Plymouth to Azores and back”.

A yacht broker and boat builder, he had also made the trip from Devon to Baltimore previously. He took part in the Jester Challenge in 2010, sailing solo from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island.

The Minke was reportedly equipped with an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Beacon) and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), but neither device had been activated.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times

IN THIS SECTION

Number of homeless is a record the government does not want - dara calleary, accommodation organised for asylum seekers who have pitched tents in herbert park, pedestrian (30) dies after being hit by a car in clare, jellyfish sting ‘no more harmful than a bee’: an post stamps to highlight a healthy marine ecosystem, campaign to destroy sunningdale holds lessons for today, fired supervalu worker accused of clocking in and going to sleep, international protection applicant helps rescue woman from river liffey in dublin city centre, anatomy of a fake story: how anti-immigration candidates spread false information to boost their profile, flying is becoming more volatile. here is what pilots have to say on the issue, abs fab on the canvass as richard bruton goes topless to attract votes, latest stories, british ambassador to mexico sacked after pointing gun at staff, israel’s netanyahu says there cannot be permanent gaza ceasefire until hamas is destroyed, goal hungry cork’s second half blast sees donegal’s unbeaten record go up in flames, india elections: early exit polls show modi set for another big win.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

• Temperature Check
• The Stardust Inquests
• Inside The Newsroom
• Climate Crisis
• International

Huge search underway for missing Yachtsman who was bound for Cork on solo challenge

A MAJOR SEARCH is underway to locate a missing sailor who set course for Cork on a solo trip as part of the ‘Jester Challenge’ over a week ago. 

Dunan Lougee, an experienced boat builder and sailor, set sail from Plymouth for Baltimore on the Cork coast on 18 June, and was expected to have arrived by the 22nd. 

Ten days on, there has been no contact made with him. 

HM Coastguard Crosby stated in an appeal that Duncan set off onboard a yacht called “The Minke”, a 25ft fibreglass folkboat with a white hull and white sails. 

The boat’s hull number is FB597. 

Lougee was singlehandedly taking part in a challenge that was to see him sail the route via the Isles of Scilly. 

All the other boats taking part in the challenge have been accounted for. 

A social media appeal by the sailor’s loved ones stated that Lougee is a “fit and healthy individual”. 

They added that The Minke was last sighted near the Helford River on 19 June at 2pm. 

“The Coast Guard is collaborating with UK MCA in assisting with a request for any sightings or reports of the yacht Minke which was taking part in the Jester Challenge.

“Coast Guard is making local enquiries and broadcasting marine VHF messages, seeking any reports on sightings of the vessel. There are no reports or information on the vessel being sighted in Irish waters. Operation is ongoing.”

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation..

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

To embed this post, copy the code below on your site

600px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/sailor-missing-on-way-to-cork-6105082-Jun2023/?embedpost=6105082&width=600&height=460" ></iframe>

400px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/sailor-missing-on-way-to-cork-6105082-Jun2023/?embedpost=6105082&width=400&height=460" ></iframe>

300px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/sailor-missing-on-way-to-cork-6105082-Jun2023/?embedpost=6105082&width=300&height=460" ></iframe>

• Defamation Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
• Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
• Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion.
• Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
• Spam Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.

Leave a comment cancel

Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user

Create an email alert based on the current article

Mystery as Coast Guard discover missing yacht floating off Irish coast but no one on board

The Irish Coast Guard confirmed that the missing skipper was not found onboard the yacht during their search

• 19:55, 29 JUN 2023

Get daily headlines and breaking news alerts for FREE by signing up to our newsletter

We have more newsletters

There was a mystery off the south coast of Ireland this afternoon after a missing yacht was found floating in the sea - but with no one on board.

The Minke yacht, skippered by captain Duncan Lougee, departed from Plymouth, in southwest England, 11 days ago on June 18 and was scheduled to arrive in Baltimore, west Cork, four days later but never arrived.

On Thursday, a boat fitting the Minke description was spotted floating in the sea around 120 kilometres off the coast of east Cork and was immediately searched by the Irish Coast Guard.

READ MORE: Gardaí focus search to pier close to Slieve League in Donegal after assault 'tip-off'

Captain Duncan Lougee, aged in his late 60s, was the only sailor on board and had been taking part in the single-handed 'Jester Challenge', planning to sail from Plymouth to Baltimore via the Isles of Scilly.

However, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed that Mr Lougee, the missing Minke skipper, was not found onboard during their search.

In a statement on Thursday, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed the news and said that the UK authorities are continuing to coordinate the operation.

A spokesperson said: “This afternoon MRCC Dublin was advised of a possible sighting of the yacht ‘Minke’ approx. 75 miles South East of Ballycotton, Co Cork.

"The Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter R117, which was conducting a search in the vicinity, was immediately tasked to the scene.

"A crew member from R117 boarded the vessel and conducted a visual check. Unfortunately the missing skipper was not onboard. R117 has departed the scene.

"As the vessel is positioned in the UK Search and Rescue Region, the UK authorities are continuing to coordinate the operation.”

• Irish coast
• Most Recent

Fears for missing sailor as yacht that left Plymouth found off Irish coast with no-one on board

T here are fears for a missing sailor after a yacht that went missing was found off the Irish coast. Duncan Lougee left Plymouth on The Minke - a 26ft Varne folkboat - at midday on June 18 and was expected to arrive in Baltimore, Ireland, on June 22.

But there has been no communication from the skipper since his departure, which sparked a major search. In an update on Thursday evening, it was confirmed the yacht was found floating in the sea but with no-one on board.

A boat fitting The Minke description was spotted floating in the sea around 120 kilometres off the coast of east Cork and was immediately searched by the Irish Coast Guard, the Irish Mirror reports. Mr Lougee was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge, with his plan to sail the route via the Isles of Scilly.

Read next: Plymouth City Council loses bid to end legal action over Armada Way trees

However, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed that Mr Lougee, the missing Minke skipper, was not found onboard during their search. In a statement on Thursday, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed the news and said that the UK authorities are continuing to coordinate the operation.

A spokesperson said: “This afternoon MRCC Dublin was advised of a possible sighting of the yacht ‘Minke’ approx. 75 miles South East of Ballycotton, Co Cork. The Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter R117, which was conducting a search in the vicinity, was immediately tasked to the scene.

"A crew member from R117 boarded the vessel and conducted a visual check. Unfortunately, the missing skipper was not on board. R117 has departed the scene. As the vessel is positioned in the UK Search and Rescue Region, the UK authorities are continuing to coordinate the operation.”

Mr Lougee is a yacht broker, boat builder and experienced sailor. He has previously solo navigated crossing the Atlantic in three trips from Plymouth to Azores and back. He has also done the same trip to Baltimore before, the Mirror reports.

• Latest News
• Local Elections
• European Elections
• Latest Sport
• Sports Awards
• Listen Back
• Absolute Irish
• Ours to Protect
• What's On In Waterford
• Summer In The City
• Lost and Found
• Entertainment
• Competitions
• Advertising

{{ schedule.current.name }}

{{ player.currentepisode player.currentepisode.podcast_title : '' }}, search underway for yacht which was supposed to arrive in west cork six days ago.

Searches are underway for a missing sailboat which had been due to arrive in West Cork six days ago.

The Irish Examiner has reported that the 25ft yacht 'Minke' set off from Plymouth on June 18th.

It was one of 43 vessels taking part in the Jester Challenge, a non-racing 250-nautical-mile sail from the southwest of England to West Cork via the isles of Scilly.

Captain Duncan Lougee was the only person aboard the 25ft fiberglass folk boat when it set off.

The boat has a white sail and a white hull. Its sail number is FB597.

HM Coastguard has issued regular broadcasts and liaised with the Irish Coastguard, UK police, and the RNLI.

A search was conducted by units of the local RNLI yesterday.

Anyone with information has been requested to contact the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 01 326 317 575.

This week's Top Stories

Five star déise deliver big win over limerick, traveller pride being celebrated in waterford, major projects announced for two waterford hospitals, more in news, bodycams would have ‘greatly assisted’ gardaí investigating dublin riot, restoration works and new carpark additions to mount congreve, summer stars reading programme shines again in 2024, trump becomes first former us president in history to be criminally convicted, additional and later rail services planned between waterford and dublin.

• EE0E57D4-DCC1-404E-9187-2123947FD761
• 3388E441-3A74-4278-880E-7BE92891C8B1
• 741ADFE9-F385-4895-A991-82F098C3D2A0
• 3FE99802-F64C-4B28-BD33-65833B18B2B3
• 096C71E0-05E9-4197-9D44-93F72C4DBF93
• Get in Touch
• On-Air Schedule
• Cookie Policy
• Contest Rules
• Privacy Policy
• Code of Practice
• Cookie Settings

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

British sailor missing at sea off the Cork coast

Duncan Lougee and his yacht 'Minke' were due to arrive in Baltimore, West Cork on June 23. Picture: Facebook

A British sailor is missing after the yacht he was sailing was discovered this evening off the Cork coast, but without the missing skipper onboard.

The ‘Minke’ yacht, captained by Duncan Lougee, left Plymouth on June 18 and was expected to arrive in Baltimore, west Cork, on June 22. There had been no contact with the vessel since departure.

Mr Lougee, aged in his late 60s, was from Suffolk. He was an experienced yacht broker, boat builder and sailor with many miles of sailing experience, including having single-handedly crossed the Atlantic, and had completed three return trips from Plymouth to Azores.

“This is a particularly difficult time for Duncan’s partner Louise, who is showing great fortitude during the wait for some firm news and the thoughts of all the Jester Challengers, past and present, are with her,” announced a family friend.

This afternoon MRCC Dublin Coast Guard was advised of a possible sighting of the Minke, about 75 miles South East of Ballycotton, County Cork. 

The Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter R117, which was conducting a search in the vicinity, was immediately tasked to the scene.

A crew member from rescue helicopter R117 boarded the vessel and conducted a visual check, at about 4.50pm this evening, Thursday, June 29.

Unfortunately the missing skipper was not onboard, said a spokesperson. The R117 has since departed the scene. As the vessel is positioned in the UK Search and Rescue Region, the UK authorities are continuing to coordinate the operation.

A spokesperson for Valentia Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre said a local fishing vessel spotted the vessel while the R117 was searching for it.

“She was requested by the UK Coast Guard to investigate the sighting. She managed to put a winchman on deck, and unfortunately when he went on board there was no sign of the single occupant.” 

Mr Lougee was taking part in the single-handed Jester Challenge with a plan to sail the route via the Isles of Scilly.

“The vessel was also demasted, it had an issue with its mast,” added the spokesperson. “The UK sent out their own helicopter and a lifeboat from Milford Haven, with the possibility of bringing it back to Milford Haven. The yacht has been found and unfortunately there is no sign of the occupant.” 

The Burnham Coastguard team in the UK had issued a statement about the Minke, described as a 25ft fibreglass folkboat with a white hull and white sails. Her sail number is FB597.

All other vessels in the Jester Challenge are accounted for. “HM Coastguard has issued regular broadcasts and liaised with the Irish Coastguard, UK police and the RNLI,” added the Burnham spokesperson.

Separately, another vessel encountered difficulty in the mouth of Kinsale Harbour this evening. Kinsale Lifeboat went to the assistance of a Norwegian vessel whose engine failed to start.

The single male occupant was transported safely to the shore at about 7pm after he issued a Pan-pan urgency call.

More in this section

Former Formula One team boss made his West Cork neighbour’s life 'a living nightmare' for four years, court hears

Sponsored Content

Evening Update

Keep up-to-date with the top stories in Cork with our daily newsletter straight to your inbox.

Please click  here for our privacy statement.

41 minutes ago

45 minutes ago

55 minutes ago

2 hours ago

It's all about Cork!

Download Today

Download your ePaper app on

National News

an hour ago

5 hours ago

8 hours ago

9 hours ago

Podcast: 1000 Cork songs  Singer/songwriter Jimmy Crowley talks to John Dolan

Listen Here

FOLLOW ECHO

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Add Echolive.ie to your home screen - easy access to Cork news, views, sport and more

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Jester Challenge folkboat Minke is found – but sailor Duncan Lougee is missing

• Laura Hodgetts
• June 29, 2023

A 25ft yacht which disappeared whilst sailing from the UK's south coast to Ireland as part of the Jester Baltimore Challenge fleet has been found, but solo skipper Duncan Lougee was not aboard.

The missing Jester Challenger folkboat Minke has been located in UK waters, 70 miles north west of Trevose Head, Cornwall, but single-handed yachtsman Duncan Lougee was not on board.

It follows an appeal for sightings of Duncan when Minke did not arrive in Ireland on 22 June as expected, having departed from Plymouth, Devon on 18 June.

All other Jester Challengers who set sail from Plymouth and Pwllheli, Wales, have arrived at Baltimore in Ireland or retired to another port of their choice.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard said: “I can confirm the yacht has been found, but the captain wasn’t.”

Yesterday afternoon, MRCC Dublin was advised of a possible sighting of Minke approximately 75 miles south east of Ballycotton, County Cork. The Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter R117, which was conducting a search in the vicinity, was immediately tasked to the scene.

A crew member from R117 boarded the vessel and conducted a visual check. Unfortunately the missing skipper was not onboard. R117 then departed the scene, as the vessel was positioned in the UK search and rescue region.

‘Intense anguish’

A spokesperson for the Jester community said: “After five days of intense search of the Celtic Sea and its periphery by the UK and Irish coastguards, and after five days of intense anguish for Duncan Lougee’s family and friends, Minke was finally located yesterday afternoon. “She was drifting at a point 75 miles south-east of Ballycotton on the County Cork coast, at a mid-point of the Celtic Sea that in fact put her within the UK jurisdiction. After an initial investigation by a helicopter from the Irish coastguard, the UK authorities took over, sending a helicopter and a lifeboat to retrieve Minke . “Duncan, tragically, was no longer on board. When and how he had become parted from his much-loved Minke is yet to be determined. The investigations of the UK coastguard and the Devon and Cornwall Police continue. In the meantime the Jester Challenge community holds firm and sends its full support to Duncan’s nearest and dearest.”

Extensive searches for Minke involved Falmouth Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Irish Coastguard, including a fixed wing search of the area between the Scillies and Baltimore.

Everyone involved was perplexed by the absence of any sign of Minke’s position, as Duncan was carrying both an Emergency Position-Indicating Beacon (EPIRB) and a personal locator beacon (PLB), neither of which were activated.

Conditions in the Celtic Sea have generally been benign throughout the last week, further contributed to the puzzle.

Spokesman for the challenge, Roger Taylor said previously: “This is a particularly difficult time for Duncan’s partner, who is showing great fortitude during the wait for some firm news and the thoughts of all the Jester Challengers, past and present, are with her.” He added: “The Jester Challenge has a large community of followers with 178 skippers having participated in challenges. The whole community is shocked and numbed by the disappearance of such an experienced fellow-sailor.”

Duncan Lougee’s folkboat Minke. Source: HM Coastguard Crosby

Article continues below…

Jester Challenge: One sailor’s preparations for a solo adventure

Two-time solo Atlantic racer Basil Panakis shows PBO’s Ben Meakins how he prepared his 25ft yacht to face the Jester…

Towing under sail for 232 miles: Impressive seamanship in the Jester Azores Challenge

"Some 400 miles from the finishing line, the Varne Folkboat Minke lost her rudder" – John Apps reports on impressive feats…

What is the Jester Challenge?

The Jester Challenge is an opportunity for skippers to test their boats and their seagoing mettle in a supportive and non-competitive environment. It is not a race in any way, shape or form.

Every two years a group of singlehanded sailors heads for Plymouth to sail across the Atlantic . The Challenge in 2024 will see them head off to the Azores and 2026 will likely see them making a full Atlantic crossing to Newport, Rhode Island.

In the intervening odd years there is a less challenging passage to Baltimore in Ireland.

Skippers can make stopovers in other ports or harbours if they so desire, and there is no stigma attached to retiring from the event. Each sailor takes full responsibility for him or herself, their boat and the equipment they carry.

There is no entry fees and virtually no rules, although there are guidelines.

This year’s 250-mile Jester Baltimore Challenge saw a total of 43 yachts take part, the main fleet from Plymouth and another 14 from a simultaneous start in Pwllheli, Wales – the biggest Jester fleet of all time.

PBO’s Jake Kavanagh had a long interview with Duncan before he left, and said “both man and machine were in top shape”.

Sailing community appeal

In a Facebook post appealing for sightings, Duncan is described as “6ft 1in, white male with glasses, late 60’s. Probably wearing Musto oilskins with waterproof Dubarry boots. Fit healthy individual.”

The last sighting of Minke was near Helford River 1400 Monday 19 June 2023.

Minke is a 25ft fibreglass folkboat with a white hull and white sails. Her sail number is FB597.

Duncan was expected to arrive in Baltimore, Ireland on 22 June, or 23 June at the latest.

Fiona Gordon-Clarke said ‘on behalf of the family’: “We are just desperate for any information however small. “Duncan is an experienced yacht broker, boat builder and sailor with many miles of sailing including single handed crossing Atlantic, 3 x trips from Plymouth to Azores and back. “He has even done this trip to Baltimore in Ireland before.”

‘No new searches planned’

In a statement, the Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the missing yacht Minke by the Irish Coast Guard, around 70 miles northwest of Trevose Head, Cornwall, stating: “It appears that no one was on the vessel and therefore the boats skipper, 70-year-old Duncan Lougee from Colchester, Essex, remains a missing person.”

Detective Inspector Daniel Massey 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 Sunday 18 June, and initial enquires 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.”

A spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: “Extensive searches were carried out and coordinated by HM Coastguard and the yacht found. The search was terminated once it became clear that the period of survivability had passed.”

DI Massey added: “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.”

You can find the latest updates on the Jester Challenge blog

• Entertainment

RNLI crew heroically rescue yacht 70 miles off Cork coast during midnight mission

An RNLI crew heroically rescued a yacht 70 located miles off Cork coast after jumping out of their beds for the midnight mission.

The Courmacsherry RNLI were called after a 29ft suffered mechanical failures following a power outage on Monday night.

Today's top videos

Story continues below.

Unable to hoist the yacht’s sails, the people onboard were left adrift in the water under the pitch black Cork sky amidst difficult weather conditions.

The crew of the Val Adnams Lifeboat, led by Coxswain Mark Gannon, bravely took on the tough conditions and travelled 69 miles to help those stuck on the yacht.

With it taking three hours to get to the scene and locate the missing yacht, the lifeboat eventually got in contact with the crew.

Two crew members were rescued from the yacht at approximately 3.15am before travelling 11 hours back to land on July 18 .

The yacht, which was travelling to France when the incident occurred, has since been brought into a port at Courtmacsherry.

Emphasising the importance of having flares on a vessel, Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O’Dwyer gave an insight into the rescue.

‘It is not very often that red flares are the means of distress communications these days and the importance of having these on board the yacht was ever so important this morning.

Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Dave Philips and crew members Ken Cashman, Tadgh McCarthy, Denis Murphy and Donal Young.   The Lifeboat has now been refuelled and returned to its mooring at 2.45pm  in constant readiness of when the next callout might occur. pic.twitter.com/fSktEKUFzv — CourtmacsherryRNLI (@CourtmacRNLI) July 18, 2023

‘It was great to see nearly two voluntary crews and officers arrive quickly at midnight, within minutes of their bleepers being activated, in order to help others in distress at sea.

‘We are so proud of how our new Shannon Class Lifeboat performed in this longest callout in over a decade and also in very poor conditions,’ he said.

Crew members Ken Cashman, Tadgh McCarthy, Denis Murphy and Donal Young also took part in the mission.

Fota Island welcomes 13 ‘critically endangered’ Curlew chics

Cork boss tells gaa they must widen gap to all-ireland quarter-finals, in pics: former miss ireland aoife walsh brings followers inside cork trip, must read news.

More: Trending News

'Did you see John that night?' - six months since dad-of-three went missing in Cork city

John Keaveney was last seen in August 2023

• 12:21, 21 FEB 2024
• Updated 13:08, 21 FEB 2024

Today marks six months since John Keaveney disappeared in Cork city - and six months of an extensive search for the missing dad-of-three. Now family and volunteers are asking for anyone with even the slightest recollection of John to get in touch.

Dublin man John, 43, was last seen on CCTV in the Páirc Uí Chaoimh area in the early hours of Sunday, August 21, 2023 - having discharged himself from Cork University Hospital following an epileptic episode. He had been visiting Cork for the day with his wife and three daughters.

Half a year on, John's mother says she goes to bed every night asking "John, where are you?"

One volunteer group that has been heavily involved in the search for John is Mallow Search and Rescue. Team member Philip Johnston has spoken about the importance of coming forward if you think you might know something, no matter how small.

"Six months is a long time ago - but it was during the summer, long evenings. Somebody may have seen him and that could steer the search in a different direction," volunteer Philip said.

Last month, John's family urged people in Cork to check their sheds and outhouses in case John had sought shelter in one of them - and Philip said that's still something that residents should be doing.

But Philip has also advised people to contact the Gardaí if they have any memory at all of John from the night he went missing.

He said: "A friend of ours actually saw John that night up around the MacCurtain Street area. She saw this man, disorientated, who had a little hospital band on his wrist. And she said to herself, 'there's something wrong, there's something odd about that.'

"What I'm asking for today is, has anybody else a recollection of something like that? Like seeing him down Centre Park Road or seeing him down near the Marina, or even further afield."

Philip described the type of searches that his team have been conducting: "We've done river searches, we've done searches along the shoreline down as far as Cobh," he told The Opinionline on Cork's 96FM.

The 25-strong Mallow Search and Rescue team carries out its work far and wide across the Rebel County: "Mallow Search and Rescue - it sounds very parochial as if it's based in Mallow, but we do most of our work in the city."

The team have repeatedly searched the river and the area near the Marina - as well as areas further afield.

"We recovered a missing person around Christmastime down around Rushbrooke in Cobh. That was a very far place from where he actually had gone in.

"Suddenly we looked at each other and said, 'bloody hell, we have to do a shoreline search of the area down there [for John].' And we did, and John's best friend was actually there on the day. So they haven't given up hope."

Philip said it's not impossible that John is still alive: "Without a body, you have to cling to the hope that he's still alive.

"There is that hope that someone may have given him a spin and is still looking after him, not knowing who he is." But Philip acknowledged that the scenario is "highly unlikely."

Throughout the last six months, the team has been in contact with John's family. "The Keaveney family are just lovely people," Philip said. "I spoke to John's mother at a Mass at for John. She just looked at me and said, 'Where did he go to? I go to bed every night saying John, where are you?'"

The family have previously suggested there was a sighting of John near Cork Airport, but the last confirmed sighting of John was on CCTC in the Páirc Uí Chaoimh between 1.25 am and 1.40 am on 21 August.

Philip said that the footage is "painful to watch," and that John "was very unsure of himself on his feet". He shares the family's belief that John was searching for a place to charge his phone.

"I believe he was actually trying to charge his phone in the [Circle K] petrol station at the pump. That's how disorientated he was on the night.

"He had been in contact [with family members] when he was walking down MacCurtain Street, but the phone died."

While the Gardaí and volunteer groups still consider the river as a prime location, Philip has not dismissed the possibility that John could be discovered elsewhere.

"I'm going to say it, it sounds awful, but even if somebody got a strong smell at some stage and said, 'God, I wonder?' Even that could be reported. Again, the guards could search."

The search for John has been "baffling" for the team - as Philip admits that they "have absolutely no idea" where he is.

"Mallow Search and Rescue is around for the last 40 years. We've done hundreds upon hundreds of searches in Cork. We've got massive experience of tidal flows, the way the river goes.

"I've done diving into the water to check any kind of thing that the site scan sonar would have picked up. Any kind of an image - and nothing, we just can't see him."

But the team remains dedicated to finding John for his family: "We're all volunteers, we give up our time to do this stuff, and you want a successful outcome. Do you remember when Midleton flooded ? I was actually on the river that morning when it was pelting down because there was a missing person.

"We will do anything. We get called out in the middle of the night from time to time."

John is described as 5' 9" in height, of slim build, with brown eyes and a bald head.

John was last seen wearing a pair of navy trousers, a grey Umbro hoodie with the Irish soccer logo, and white runners.

A dedicated phone line has been set up to collect any information that could help with the search. If you have any information that you believe will help with the search effort, the family can be contacted at 083 462 2598 or you can forward the information to any Cork garda station.

Join our new Whatsapp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of CorkBeo content.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

• Most Recent

Screentime With John Fardy

18:00-19:00

Distress call from a mystery yacht off the Cork coast has been deemed a hoax

12.58 18 Oct 2015

Share this article

The widescale hunt that took place off the coast of Cork after a distress call from a yacht has been deemed a hoax.

The three-man crew of the 'Bluebird' said they had engine problems and were sinking - however emergency services had been unable to find it.

The call, picked up by the Valencia coastguard, came on the distress channel at 9.30 this morning and claimed the yacht was one mile south of Roche's Point at the entrance to Cork Harbour.

Two helicopters, three coastguard units, three lifeboats and the navy had all taken part in the search which stretched right across the base of Ireland from Waterford to Galley Head.

Gerard O'Flynn Coastguard Operations Manager says that what happened today is "regrettable and a an unfortunate use of time";

Read more about

Most Popular

Adult: Should I be in a throuple with my husband and his AI girlfriend?

Ticketmaster owner confirms data hack by 'criminal threat actor'

What happens if America wants multinational tax back from Ireland?

Man dies after being hit by car in Co Clare

'Ireland keeps women in the home’ - How the world reported on the referendums 

Parenting - ‘My son is obsessed with the news’ 

'What happens to breaking news?’ - Facebook blocks news access in Canada

Search suspended for 4 people missing after Alaskan charter boat sinks: Coast Guard

The five people aboard the boat were last seen Sunday afternoon.

The Coast Guard suspended its search late Monday for four missing people after a charter fishing boat sank off the coast of Alaska.

Rescuers located one deceased individual and the vessel partially submerged near a small island 10 miles from Sitka, Alaska, according to the Coast Guard.

Kingfisher Charters, a Sitka-based company that operates all-inclusive fishing trips, reported the missing vessel to the Coast Guard on Sunday evening. The boat was carrying four passengers and one guide when it sank, according to the Coast Guard.

The 30-foot aluminum vessel was last seen on Sunday afternoon near Kruzof Island, less than 10 miles from the small rocky island where the ship was found.

"Despite our best efforts and those of several partner agencies, we were not able to find the four remaining individuals, " Coast Guard Captain Darwin Jensen said. "Suspending a search is never an easy decision. We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time.

MORE: 2 people, dog rescued from sinking boat off Georgia coast

Kingfisher Charters offers all-inclusive fishing packages and operates guided trips on 30-foot power boats that can carry up to six anglers on a boat, according to the company website .

Kingfisher Charters did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Rescuers, including the Coast Guard, local officials, and private boaters, searched 825 miles over 20 hours before suspending the search.

MORE: Polar bear kills mother, 1-year-old son after rampage through remote Alaska village

Sitka often attracts anglers from across the United States for its king salmon and halibut fishing, both currently in season. Located in Alaska’s Southeast panhandle, Sitka has over 8,000 residents across Baranof Island, according to the latest census data.

ABC News' Jenna Harrison contributed to this report.