Man missing from wreck of capsized yacht is Russian sailor

A Russian sailor who was trying to circumnavigate the globe is missing after his yacht capsized off the Scottish coast.

Police and Coastguard have been searching for Roman Titov, 58, after the wreckage of his vessel was recovered near Lochinver, near Highlands.

Rescuers were sent out to Strathan Bay near Lochinver on January 5, following reports of debris washing ashore in the area.

Officers have confirmed they believe the yacht left Ullapool harbour on Wednesday, December 13, with one man on board – Mr Titov.

Russian yachtsman Roman Titov, 58, is missing. Roman Titov

Police said that concerns for the sailor are growing and that his family is aware of the situation.

In January 2022, the Russian yachtsman was off the coast of Scotland trying to complete the same journey when his boat overturned and the mast snapped in difficult conditions.

In his account, translated for Yachting Monthly, Mr Titov said he was thrown overboard.

“As I was wearing six layers of clothing, it was very difficult to climb back on board and my face was wounded in the process,” he said.

“The mast had broken underwater, and its bits were lying along the deck.”

Mr Titov spent days stranded at sea, bailing out the boat and trying to make repairs.

Eventually, in a dramatic “self-rescue”, he made his way into Ullapool.

Mr Titov returned to Russia to raise funds to try his journey again.

His boat started off from Ullapool on December 14, 2023, in the direction of Turkey heading for Sevastopol, Crimea, where he planned to arrive by April 2024.