Police renew missing Moray Firth yachtsman appeal

POLICE Scotland today renewed their appeal for the public’s help in tracing a missing yachtsman who has disappeared along with his yacht from a harbour on the Moray Firth coast.

Antonin Mican's 22ft long, white Jaguar 22 yacht. Picture: Police Scotland

Antonin Mican, 32, a Czech national who lives in the Banff area, was last seen during the evening of Friday 11 October, at Gardenstown Harbour on board his yacht.

Today, as the force issued a photograph of the missing yacht, a Police Scotland spokesman said officers involved in the search were becoming increasingly concerned for the yachtsman.

Officers are investigating reports that Mr Mican may have intended to sail to Wick in his yacht, a 22ft long blue and white Jaguar 22 with one outboard engine.

Police have deployed extra resources, including the force’s underwater diving unit, as part of the multi-agency search that has also involved the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson, of the Aberdeenshire and Moray Division, said: “I would encourage anybody who may have seen Antonin in the Gardenstown area during the day or evening of Friday, 11 October, to contact us.

“In particular, I would like people to look out for this boat either from land or sea and to let Police Scotland know of any sightings. It appears that this boat is Mican’s only form of transport and he could have stopped anywhere along the coastline.

“We have carried out searches of the local area, although this will be continually reviewed as we go forward and assess any new information we receive.”

Mr Mican is described as 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with short black hair, green eyes and a tanned complexion. Anybody who has knowledge of Mr Mican’s whereabouts or who recognises the description of his boat is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.