Maurice Saunderson: Search for missing WA yachtsman, 77, suspended pending further information

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Maurice Saunderson: Search for missing WA yachtsman, 77, suspended pending further information

The search for a missing WA yachtsman — lost while sailing between Albany and Busselton — has been suspended a fortnight after he was last sighted.

Retiree Maurice Saunderson, 77, had set off alone from the Emu Point Marina about midday on December 29 but failed to appear in the South West, prompting family and friends to alert police on January 10.

WA Water Police acting Sergeant Mark Shortland said depending on the wind the journey should have taken up to four to seven days.

Camera IconAnyone with any information about Mr Saunderson’s whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444. Credit: WA Police

The last location his mobile was tracked by WA Police was off Broke near Walpole — about 130km west of Albany — on December 31 about 10.35pm.

Acting Sergeant Shortland said Mr Saunderson’s disappearance was described as “out-of-character” as an experienced yachtsman who lived on his vessel.

“He is a competent sailor, from what we have been informed by his family, and he has done this journey on several occasions in the past, without incidents,” he said.

“He’s a retired gentleman. He lives on his boat. He likes to travel around. He sails on his own.”

Camera IconMaurice Saunderson set sail for Busselton from Emu Point Marina on Sunday, December 29 and hasn’t been heard from since. Credit: WA Police

An emergency position-indicating radiobeacon was located on January 8 less than two nautical miles offshore which belonged to an “associate of Mr Saunderson”.

“We are making inquiries into that. We don’t know how Mr Saunderson would have come into being possession of that. At the moment, we don’t know if anything has happened.

“He does have an EPIRB registered to him that hasn’t been activated.”

The official search had included sea, air and land assets and covered a large area from Bunbury to Walpole.

“Concerns are still held for his ********. At this stage, all search actions and efforts are being reviewed. The search has been suspended pending any further information,” he said.

“We request that anyone with any information, no matter how little it may seem. If you have seen this yacht or seen Mr Saunderson, please contact police.”

Acting Sergeant Shortland said already some public reports of “believed sightings” had been received but none had been confirmed after further investigation.

He’s described as 185 centimetres, of medium build, with blue eyes and gray hair and beard.

His 9.1m yacht is named ”Spear” and has a white sail with the letter “Z” embossed on it. It also has an arrow-shaped symbol on the vessel’s bow which looks similar to the Air New Zealand logo.

Anyone with any information in relation to the whereabouts of Maurice Saunderson is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.

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