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SAR Alert for Stella Polaris: Last Contact at 25°43.20’S 002°40.80’W During Passage Toward Cape Town

 UPDATE:

We have received official confirmation via MRCC Cape Town and JRCC United Kingdom that the solo sailor aboard the Stella Polaris is safe and well.

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A Distress Alert issued by Inmarsat on 11 November 2025 at 02:47 UTC has triggered a search and rescue operation involving Stella Polaris, a Vancouver 32 sailing vessel on a solo passage to Cape Town.




Technical Details of the Alert

  • Message Type: Distress (Inmarsat)

  • Satellite: IOR – Indian Ocean Region

  • Last recorded time: 09:17:51 UTC

  • Position: 25° 43.20’ S — 002° 40.80’ W

  • MMSI: 230074280

  • Vessel: Vancouver 32-foot offshore sailing yacht

  • Situation: loss of communication since the above reported position, with reference to adverse weather conditions in the area

The alert requests attention from vessels in the vicinity and asks mariners to report any relevant sightings to South African and Brazilian maritime authorities.

Additional Information Received via Email

A confidential email indicates that the vessel may be sailed by an experienced solo sailor known for documenting ocean passages through:

According to the same communication, the sailor may not be equipped with Starlink, which could explain the lack of recent updates, though combined with adverse weather it increases concern.

Request for Assistance From Mariners

Vessels transiting the area are requested to maintain a visual and radio watch and report immediately any information that may assist the authorities.

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