Appeal launched for lone yachtsman Mustoe

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to help round-the-world sailor Julian Mustoe, whose yacht the Harrier of Down was lost in the North Sea earlier this week.

The 82-year-old Englishman was on his way from Lerwick to Norway on Tuesday when the Harrier lost her steering. After a narrow miss with an oil rig the yacht was taken in tow by the Norwegian coastguard but then sank in 300 metres of water.

Mr Mustoe is now safe in Bergen but said to be “devastated” by his loss.

Sue Heaser, one of those responsible for the appeal, said: “The Harrier has been Julian’s home and life for the past 15 years.

“His remarkable book, The Voyage of the Harrier about his world voyage in the wake of Darwin’s Beagle has received critical acclaim and is available on Amazon world wide.

“Now [that the] Harrier is lost, Julian has no home and has lost all his possessions. This is a terrible blow for a remarkable and courageous man.

“His friends have created a JustGiving website to raise funds from the yachting community and wider world to help him get back on his feet.”

The appeal is on the JustGiving website at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/harrierappeal.