Man dies on Isles of Scilly after Border Agency board moored yacht

The Border Agency vessel Seeker towed the yacht Windrose to Newlyn.

“The man is believed to be a Dutch national in his early sixties.” It is understood that the yacht had been boarded as part of a Border Force (the recently renamed UK Border Agency) operation shortly before the incident. Police say the matter has been referred to the IPCC by the Border Force and a local investigation will be carried out this morning. 

There has been no information as to why the yacht was boarded. The RNLI have confirmed that the St Mary's lifeboat was launched to the aid of a solo yachtsman in trouble on Sunday nine miles south west of Bishop's Rock lighthouse. A spokesperson said the yacht Windrose was on passage from the Azores to Falmouth when she got in trouble. The lifeboat came alongside the vessel at about 3.15pm on Sunday to find the yachtsman suffering fatigue and having problems with his rigging. Two crew members went on board and lowered the rigging and then the boat was towed into St Mary's. The RNLI were unable to confirm the lone yachtsman's nationality. 

But the Windrose is believed to be the yacht boarded by Border Force officers on Monday. Part of the quay at St Mary’s has been closed while the investigation goes on, with the adjoining Old Quay being used instead, according to island sources. Representatives of the harbour said on Twitter: “We will open the quay fully as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.” It is believed a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose attended the islands last night and transported a man suffering from head injuries to the mainland.

Story courtesy of the Cornish Guardian.