But coastguard admit it would be a 'miracle' if solo yachtswoman survives

The husband of a missing solo yachtswoman says he still hopes she will be found alive, despite the coastguard saying it would be a ‘miracle’ if she had survived this long.

Ona Unwin – known by her middle name, Mary – departed Mousehole, Cornwall on Saturday evening and was due to arrive in Bideford, north Devon on Monday.

But the wreckage of Mrs Unwin’s boat, a Moody 31 called Seagair that she bought last Thursday from a Falmouth brokerage, was discovered near Sennen Cove on Monday and the lifeboat and helicopter search was called off.

A Falmouth Coastguard spokesman said: ‘It is approaching 24 hours since the wreckage of the vessel, believed to be the Seagair, was first discovered.

‘For someone to have survived overnight would be something close to a miracle. Mrs Unwin is still a missing person.

‘It is a fact that the longer a search goes on the less chances you have of finding a survivor.

‘If the vessel came to grief on late Saturday night, which is what we believe, the chances of survival obviously diminish over time.

‘Had a person gone into the water on Saturday, and if they hadn’t good survival equipment like a liferaft or an immersion suit, their chances of survival by now would be virtually non-existent.’

But her husband Carol Unwin, 61, said: ‘I still have hope. Nothing is certain until she is found – be that dead or alive.’

Wreck found in search for missing solo sailor.

Coastguard ‘very concerned’ about missing solo sailor.