A large-scale search operation is currently underway for a man believed to have gone missing during a solo boating excursion off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Authorities, including police, the coastguard, and RNLI volunteers, were notified after Chris Ellery did not return from his trip as scheduled on Thursday afternoon. His family lost contact with him on Wednesday, prompting his daughter, Kenzie, to reach out on social media for assistance in locating her father. “We are desperately trying to find him,” she expressed in a Facebook post.

The HM Coastguard confirmed that search efforts recommenced on Saturday, involving an aircraft, multiple RNLI boat crews, two coastguard teams, and police personnel covering areas in north Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, and St Brides Bay. Kenzie noted that her father often undertakes these solo journeys and is usually well-prepared for emergencies. She emphasized how unusual it is that they have not heard from him or been able to make contact.

Kenzie mentioned that her father possesses an Apple AirTag designed to track movements and last indicated he was at sea. This suggests that he may be in coastal regions rather than inland areas. “We all need him to be home and we pray that he is safe,” she added. She also indicated that his belongings were discovered by police and coastguard personnel at a cove accessible only by boat.

According to Dyfed-Powys Police, CCTV footage revealed that the 54-year-old man was last seen leaving Fishguard Harbour in a black rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) on Wednesday around 14:00 GMT. The police confirmed that land and sea search operations initiated on Friday were prompted by a report from Avon and Somerset Police. After a brief pause overnight, the search efforts resumed on Saturday.

The HM Coastguard reported the involvement of its rescue aircraft alongside crews from Fishguard and St Davids as well as several RNLI lifeboat teams from Fishguard, St Davids, Cardigan, Little Haven, Broad Haven, and a marine police search unit in the ongoing operation.

In a separate incident in Pembrokeshire, authorities are addressing a serious assault that left a man hospitalized with severe injuries that could be life-altering. A 20-year-old victim has been reported to sustain potentially life-threatening injuries following this incident. Additionally, public reactions to a related initiative have been mixed, with some individuals criticizing it as “a waste of money.”