A massive search and rescue operation was reportedly launched for a British woman whose boyfriend said she had fallen from their catamaran moored at the US Virgin Islands.
Sarm Heslop (41), from Southampton, was last seen on Sunday night aboard the 47-foot Siren Song, which was played in Frank Bay, St. John, moored, reports the Virgin Islands Daily News.
Her beau sounded the alarm the next day after waking up and noticing that she was nowhere to be found, Ricardo Castrodad, spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard, told the news office.
The unidentified man said he and Heslop fell asleep around 10pm on Sunday and that he woke up at 2am and realized she was not on board, Castrodad said.
“He said her belongings were still on board the vessel, in terms of her cellphone, shoes and wallet,” Castrodad added.
The catamaran’s dinghy was still tied up.
Police and divers have set up an extensive search for the missing woman, including the drift analysis of the vessel, which is reportedly anchored about 150 meters from the shore.
Boat units ‘began a superficial search of the coastline, adjacent islands and all the waters around and to the sea from where the vessel was located,’ Castrodad said.
In addition, he said: ‘We had a Coast Guard helicopter search in the afternoon and the search continued throughout the night. The conditions were excellent in terms of visibility, the sea condition, and there were no signs of anyone in the water. ”
Castrodad added that there was no evidence to suggest that Heslop had penetrated 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 boyfriend.
“She would not just disappear and leave no trace. “We call for an urgent and thorough investigation into this incident, as her friends are devastated here at home and just need her disappearance to be given a critical priority,” said the pal from the UK.
“We want to thank all the local community for their support in searching for Sarm on water and land,” she added. “They were so wonderful, but we urge them not to give up until she is tracked down or we have more information.”
Local police spokesman Toby Derima told the Telegraph that volunteers had also searched the area around Cruz Bay.
“Unfortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful,” he said.
The Sun reports that the catamaran, which is owned by Heslop’s partner, is rented to tenants who tour the islands for about £ 5,000 – about $ 7,000 – a week.
Heslop, who previously worked as an air hostess, has been living in the area since the beginning of 2020, according to the sales area.
She is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, slender and with a tattoo on her left shoulder.