Rescue crews searching for missing yachtswoman Mary Unwin (65) admit the chances of finding her alive are slim, as the search continues for her today. Read previous story here.

The yacht wreckage of her 31ft moody Seagair was discovered yesterday afternoon (Monday 15 October) near Sennen Cove, west Cornwall – three days after Mrs Unwin was last seen. She and her husband Carol, from Northam in north Devon, had only just re-married after getting divorced about a year ago.

A Falmouth Coastguard 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.”

Mrs Unwin bought the £32,000 yacht in Falmouth. She left in the yacht on Friday despite being advised by Falmouth Yacht Brokers not to make the trip on her own and without collecting the paperwork.

Jerry Hobkirk, owner of Falmouth Yacht Brokers, said he had advised Mrs Urwin to embark on a sailing refresher course before taking to the water, something the missing woman appears to have ignored. Mr Hobkirk said the 130-mile journey from Mousehole to Bideford would have tested even experienced sailors, let alone in difficult conditions. “I was amazed when I found out that she had set sail,” Mr Hobkirk explained. “If I had known, we would have stopped her. There were strong winds and rough seas on a piece of coast that has very few escape routes. If you get into difficulties there aren’t very many ports to play your ‘get out of jail’ card with.”

Mr Unwin denied his wife was an inexperienced sailor. “Before she embarked on the trip she had an expert sailor with her, just to brush up on what she knew. He and she were confident about the whole exercise.”