A YACHTSMAN feared missing at sea after setting off from northern Germany last week has been found safe and well.

The 69-year-old was found onboard his 17.5ft Scarborough-based yacht, Equinox, approximately 80 miles east of Spurn Point (at the mouth of the Humber) when an emergency beacon was activated.

Humber Coastguard had appealed for information to help trace the missing skipper, from Driffield, who last made contact with his family on July 4, when he set off from the Kiel Canal, at Brunsbuttell, East Germany.

Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, Mike Green, said:  “We are all absolutely delighted that this gentleman has been found alive and well. 

"It is thanks to an excellent effort by all those involved in the search and rescue and is a testament to the value of emergency beacon equipment.

"It is important that yachtsmen planning this sort of passage have adequate communications and log a passage plan with a shore contact.

"The more information that is available to coastguards, the more concentrated we can make our search efforts.”

The yachtsman was taken aboard a UK-registered vessel that was nearby and went to the scene at the request of the Coastguard.