Search efforts for missing French solo sailor Emmanuel Dailler are ongoing. The 56-year-old departed the Hout Bay Yacht Club on 2 March 2023 for Martinique in the Caribbean, and his arrival may now be overdue.
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The South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing to the maritime community and Maritime Rescue Services across the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean to search for Dailler aboard his sailing yacht Akela II.
The Akela II is a mono-hull white sailing yacht that is equipped with only onboard marine VHF radio communications. The yacht is plain white, with no yacht name labelled on the hull.
The last known contact of Dailler was on his departure from the Hout Bay Yacht Club on 2 March, and there have been no new leads to finding Akela II nor Dailler. According to the NSRI, it was previously suspected that Dailler was headed across the Atlantic to the French Caribbean but this has not been confirmed formally. ‘We are widening our efforts to include the Indian ocean, as he has a sister residing in Australia, and we simply have no way and no new leads to suggest he went either way, across the Atlantic or across the Indian Oceans.’
Dr Cleeve Robertson, NSRI CEO, says no formal search can be launched at this stage as there is no indication other than that he left Hout Bay Yacht Club on 2 March, expecting to head towards the French Caribbean. ‘Had he changed his mind and gone East is a mystery that we are hoping our wide appeal can help to determine. We are extremely grateful, on behalf of the family, to all who have responded with their concerns. We are hoping someone comes forward, maybe fellow sailors, maybe fishermen, maybe a commercial motor vessel, who may have seen the plain white yacht at sea. This may help us to put one piece of this puzzle together in our ongoing efforts.’
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Picture: National Sea Rescue Institute
