Serious concerns are mounting for the wellbeing of a skipper who has gone missing after debris from his vessel appeared on a Cornish beach. Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a public appeal following the disappearance of David Fretwell. The 75-year-old was reported missing after his vessel, Green Goddess, was discovered washed ashore in the Hayle area on March 6.
Three coastguard craft, two RNLI lifeboats and a helicopter were deployed to Mexico Towans beach following the discovery of David's destroyed vessel with its contents scattered across the shoreline. Local residents started finding fragments of the hull, lifejackets, paint coating tins, gas canisters, personal items and even a seat, positioned upright in the sand.
The majority of the wreckage was distributed around the Mexico Towans section of the beach, near the Beachside Holiday Park.
At the time, an HM Coastguard spokesperson stated: "A sailing vessel was reported to HM Coastguard at about 8.05am on Friday, March 6, to have broken up on the shoreline at Hayle beach, with no sign of any person on board.
"Coastguard Rescue Teams from St Ives, Portreath and Penzance were sent to check for anyone in distress, as well as an HM Coastguard helicopter and two RNLI lifeboats from St Ives. Devon and Cornwall Police were also informed.
"Searches did not locate any person in distress. HM Coastguard stood down its response at about 2.30pm, pending any new information."
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It's thought that David journeyed along the North Cornwall coast by boat, passing through Padstow and Newquay before reaching the St Ives area on March 4.
David is described as a white male, of slim build, with short grey hair and approximately 5ft 7in tall.
A police spokesperson: "If you have seen David, or know of their whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting log number 247 06/03/26."
