A South African family has flown to the Seychelles in a desperate bid for news on missing yachtsman Sean Terry, formerly of Cape Town, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances while completing what was to be the final leg of his circumnavigation of the globe on his yacht Finnegan.
Police in the Seychelles are investigating the disappearance of the SA/British national yachtsman, 48, who despite being an experienced yachtsman and skipper was allegedly lost overboard.
Although he usually sailed alone, Terry was accompanied by an Australian national on the final leg when he planned to sail from Sri Lanka to Chagos, and then on to Madagascar. The Australian is being held for questioning by police in the Seychelles.
Information on the Facebook page on which members of his family plead for news, the family says the yacht arrived on June 25 on the island of Coëtivy, off the coast of the Seychelles, with only the crew member on board.
Terry was reported missing, apparently having been lost overboard some days previously, but his family says on the site they were notified of his disappearance only on July 11.
Terry left SA several years ago, along with his three siblings who have travelled to the Seychelles from their new homes abroad.
A family spokeswoman, who did not wish to be named, told the Cape Argus on Sunday that the family had asked that their privacy be respected, for fear of jeopardising the investigation.
But she did reveal that they had established that Terry arrived in the Maldives on May 8, then left for Chagos on May 13 together with an Italian-owned yacht, S/Y Alice. The two vessels sailed in tandem and maintained radio communications until they lost contact on June 18.
Crew members of the S/Y Alice reported that they were forced to change course on June 20, and to pass north of the Saya de Malha Bank seeking shelter before the wind and seas became rough.
They were not sure whether Terry had been forced to do the same, or had been caught up in those strong winds.
When the Finnegan arrived on the small coral island of Coëtivy, off the Seychelles on June 25, the crew member reported Terry missing, saying he was lost overboard between Chagos and Coëtivy.
“The crew member is currently in police custody for questioning. It’s a very emotional and troublesome period for the family,” the spokeswoman said, adding that they were searching for an explanation and answers about what happened.
“At this time we can’t reveal more information as it’s still an ongoing investigation. We are waiting for the police to complete their investigation,” she explained.
All Terry’s belongings were found on the boat, including his log book, computer, navigator and cellphone.
The spokeswoman said this was the first time Terry had disappeared, and the family was alarmed.
“At the moment the family is still trying to get a handle on the situation. They have no idea what might have happened, but they are not ruling out foul play,” she said.
The Seychelles government was concerned about piracy activities, and were checking for any connections.
“But we don’t think there is a link. It’s a scary time for the family and we hope to get some news soon.”
On the Facebook page, the family pleads with members of the yachting community to help track his movements after Chagos.
Timeline
* May 8, 2012: Sean Terry arrives in the Maldives.
* May 13: Sails alone to Chagos.
* June 14: Terry, accompanied by an Australian crew member, leaves for Madagascar. They sail along with, and keep regular radio contact with, Italian-owned yacht S/Y Alice.
* June 18: S/Y Alice loses contact with Terry.
* June 20: S/Y is forced to change course to escape rough winds and waves. They suspect Terry did the same.
* June 25: The crew member arrives alone on the Finnegan, in Coetivy, off Seychelles.
* July 11: Police inform his family of his disappearance.
Cape Argus