PALMA
HOPES of finding a 60-year-old German father who was washed overboard while sailing near the islet of Dragonera on Sunday were rapidly fading yesterday.
The poor weather, gusting winds and high seas with waves of five metres have been seriously complicating the search and reducing the chances of survival since Sunday and yesterday, the search was called off as sea conditions worsened.
The victim was washed overboard along with his son and two other crew mates when their yacht was hit by a large wave while located some 20 miles off Dragonera.
The four had set sail from the Port of Andratx on board the Hamburg-registered Kelbo on Sunday morning.
They had not sailed very far when the sudden sea surge and large wave threw all four into the sea.
According to the rescued members of the crew, the yacht very nearly capsized.
The victim's son, the youngest of the four was the first to clamber back on board.
He dropped the bow steps and two others managed to drag themselves back on board the yacht.
Tragically, the father, who was not apparently wearing a life vest, was pulled away by the heavy sea and disappeared from view of the three back on board the yacht.
HELICOPTER
As soon as the Mayday was received, a major search was mounted by the air sea rescue services.
Two search and rescue vessels immediately set sail to the accident zone while a helicopter combed the area from the air.
Once the stricken yacht was located, two merchant ships in the area had been alerted and shadowed the vessel until the rescue services reached the scene.
However, yesterday, after nearly two days of continuous searching, search and rescue chiefs ruled that, considering the poor weather over the past few days and the extreme conditions, it is highly unlikely that the 60-year-old German would be found alive.
Over the past few days, since the current cold front hit the Balearics bringing unsettled weather and rough sea conditions, the air sea rescue services have been busy.
The unsettled weather conditions are forecast until Friday with Majorca and Minorca on yellow level one storm alert today and tomorrow.
Areas which can expect the worst of the weather, strong north westerly winds and torrential rain, are the north of Majorca and Minorca and the alert also applies to sea conditions.
Further snow flurries can also be expected over the next few days on the peaks of Majorca.
The sun will, however, return in time for the weekend.