A sailor who sparked a huge search after vanishing off the coast of Wales has broken his silence after finally washing up days later and 60 miles from where he started.
Chris Ellery, 54, failed to return from a solo boating trip in Pembrokeshire, West Wales last week, leading to a desperate search along the coastline.
The wildlife photographer, a father, was left ‘tired but OK’ after winding up on the other side of the channel in Ireland two days after his engine failed.
After notifying the police, even Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris posted on social media welcoming him to his constituency.
‘This is a remarkable story of survival. Welcome to Wicklow Chris Ellery! I’m sure your family and the Welsh emergency services are unbelievably relieved,’ he wrote.
Chris, from Bristol, has now thanked rescuers after police, coastguards and the RNLI all sent teams to scour the seas looking for him.
He explained how he arrived ‘on the shores of Kilmichael Point, a beautiful remote part of Ireland’ before being helped by a local.
Chris had set off from Fishguard harbour on Wednesday to take pictures of wildlife and the sunset.
But when he failed to return home, coastguard rescue teams scrambled to scour the coastline for signs of life.
Three aircraft, three coastguard rescue teams and five RNLI lifeboats joined the search over the two days.
Chris’ daughter meanwhile took to social media to organise a campaign to help bring him home.
His belongings were later found in a cove accessible by boat, the Times reports.
And an AirTag tracking device showed he was still out at sea, his daughter, Kenzie, told the outlet.
But Chris was already floating out West, towards Kilmichael Point in Ireland.
The search was finally called off on November 2 when Chris arrived at the local police station in Co Wicklow, south of Dublin.
‘While walking to a local garda 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,’ he recounted.
‘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.
‘Walked into Baltinglass garda station on Saturday, told them my story who instantly offered there help and support and contacted my wife and UK police, to hear Jess and daughters voice for first time – very emotional.’
Chris said he was then taken to a local B&B and pub where the owner introduced him ‘to his selection of fine ciders’.
He said the man told ‘all the pub regulars “this is Chris Ellery”‘.
They laughed about his story, he said, as he explained how he had been washed out to sea after setting off on Wednesday to take photos.
Kenzie took to social media to thank followers for their help and confirm her father was safe.
‘MY DAD IS ALIVE HE HAS BEEN FOUND IN IRELAND’ she wrote in a post widely shared, with 3,400 likes.
‘I just want to say thank you for all the amazing support from everyone,’ she later added.
‘The details are still vague but we will be able to answer questions in time, the important part is dad is alive, safe and well!’
A Coastguard spokesman said Chris set off for his trip on Thursday expecting to return the following day but his three metre black inflatable boat had engine trouble.
‘He broke down, but managed to get it going again,’ the spokesman said. ‘But his phone had also stopped working.
‘He came ashore in County Wicklow and made his way to a local police station. They contacted Dyfed-Powys Police.’
Chris took the opportunity to thank all the people who turned out to look for him.
‘I’m safe and sound back in the UK,’ he said.
‘I would like to express a massive thank you to everyone for your kind messages and support that kept my family and friends going during these last few difficult days.
‘A special thank you to all the hundreds of voluntary individuals from the RNLI and HM Coastguard that helped in the search along the Pembrokeshire coastline.’
