A Kingston resident’s boat was found abandoned off the coast of the Isle of Wight on Saturday.
Hany Nabil Mustapha, 46, had bought a small yacht in a private sale on Saturday morning. He sailed away from Poole Yacht Club at 10:05am the same day, after telling staff that he planned to sail the boat to Hayling Island, near Portsmouth.
Hampshire Constabulary was notified at 5:36pm by HM Coastguard that the boat had been located beached at Grange Chine, with no crew on board. A search operation was launched.
Detective Inspector Pete Little, from Dorset Police, said: “We are obviously concerned about Mr Mustapha and I am releasing an image of him in the hope that the public may be able to assist us in locating him.”
“Mr Mustapha’s boat was found with nobody on board and the motor still running off the coast of the Isle of Wight.”
Mr Mustapha, who is married, is described as being approximately six feet three inches tall, of mid-European appearance and of a stocky build. He has short, dark receding hair and a goatee beard.
Dorset police say Mr Mustapha was last seen wearing a white sailing jacket, sunglasses and a hat.
Mr Mustapha seems to be an experienced yachtsman; he is a member of Thames Motor Yacht Club in Hampton Court.
The search, which was aided by helicopters and lifeboats, was called off at approximately 3:40pm on Monday.
