Man who went missing in Irish Sea speaks out for first time

A man who was the subject of a major missing person's search after failing to return home from a solo boat trip in Pembrokeshire is raising money for the teams who helped look for him. The alarm was raised when Chris Ellery failed to come home from a trip in Fishguard last weekend.

His family raised the alarm on Friday after he failed to return home as planned on Thursday afternoon, sparking appeals from Dyfed-Powys Police. The force confirmed on Saturday afternoon that Mr Ellery was found in Ireland.

Coastguards in Milford Haven told the BBC that Mr Ellery had attempted to cross the Irish Sea, but had engine issues and a phone that wasn't working. He was able to get to the coast of County Wicklow and made his way to the local police station.

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The 54-year-old told police officers his story, who helped put him in touch with his family. He described being "very emotional" when he heard their voices, saying locals made him feel welcome in the area.

Now, Mr Ellery has set up a fundraising page for the RNLI as a way of saying thanks to the teams who helped in the search. In a Facebook post sharing the page, he said: "One day I will share the difficult journey I experienced across the Irish Sea, but for now I will focus on the positive and lighter side of my time in Ireland. I arrived on the shores of Kilmichael Point, a beautiful remote part of Ireland. Then while walking to a local Guarda police station, a kind soul called Shay pulled up in his car and asked if I would like a lift, telling me the nearest station was 26km away but was happy to take me to the station in Baltinglass.

"Shay then told me he is currently not working, made his stopping more special, someone with little money would give his last penny to help a stranger." From there, Mr Ellery said officers at Baltinglass Guarda Station "instantly offered their help and support" and contacted his family, describing hearing their voices as "very emotional".

He added: "Guarda officer Brendan contacted a local B&B in Baltinglass, owner Eammon offered me a warm welcome into his Horan accommodation and pub, introducing me to his selection of fine ciders and telling all the pub regulars 'this is Chris Ellery, the PM of Ireland posted a message of support about Chris after landing on the Irish shores from Wales'. They laughed and chuckled about my story. I would like to thank the people of Baltinglass for the warm welcome, the Baltinglass Guarda officers, Eammon and Shay."

Posting on the fundraising page, Mr Ellery added: "I would like you to join me in making a difference, I'm raising money in aid of RNLI and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

"On 1st Nov 2024 a massive land/air/sea rescue operation started off the coast of Pembrokeshire, involving hundreds of volunteers across 5x RNLI stations. On November 2 the search ended when I managed to raise the alarm after landing my small boat at Kilmichael Point in Ireland that I’m safe and sound. This donation page has been created to thank the men and women of the RNLI." The RNLI provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

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