Reports say a large-scale search and rescue operation has started for a British woman whose friend said she might have fallen off their catamaran moored off the US Virgin Islands.
Sarm Heslop, 41, of Southampton, was last seen on Sunday evening aboard the 14-meter Siren Song, which was moored in Frank Bay, St John, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.
Her boyfriend raised the alarm the next day after he woke up and found she was nowhere to be seen, US Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad told the news outlet.
The unknown man said he and Heslop went to sleep around 10pm on Sunday and that “he woke up at 2am and realized she wasn’t on board,” said Castrodad.
“He said her belongings were still on board the ship, in terms of her cell phone, shoes and bag,” Castrodad added.
The catamaran’s dinghy was still tied up.
Police and divers have set up an extensive search for the missing woman, including conducting drift analysis from the ship, which was reportedly anchored about 50 feet from shore, the Daily News reported.
Boat units “began a search of the surface of the coastline, adjacent islands and all waters around and out to sea from where the ship was,” said Castrodad.
In addition, he said, “we had a Coast Guard helicopter search that afternoon and the search went on all night. Conditions were excellent in visibility and sea conditions, and there were no signs of anyone in the water. “
Castrodad added that there was no evidence to suggest that Heslop entered the water.
A friend of the missing woman told the Telegraph: “We heard that Sarm’s phone, passport and all belongings were left on the boat where she lived with her friend.
“She wouldn’t just disappear and leave no trace. We are asking for an urgent and thorough investigation into this incident as her friends here at home are broken and only need her disappearance to be a crucial priority, ”said the friend from the UK.
“We would like to thank the entire local community for their support in the search for Sarm, both on water and on land,” she added. “They have been so great, but we urge them not to give up until they are found or when we have more information.”
Local police spokesman Toby Derima told the Telegraph that volunteers also searched the area around Cruz Bay during the day.
“Unfortunately, this attempt has not been successful,” he said.
The catamaran, which is owned by Heslop’s partner, is rented out to charter guests who will take them on a tour of the islands for about £ 5,000 – about $ 7,000 – a week, the Sun reported.
Heslop, who previously worked as a flight attendant, has lived in the area since early 2020, according to the outlet.
She is described as six feet tall, slim and with a tattoo on her left shoulder.