The search for a yachtsman who disappeared after sailing from a north-east harbour has been extended across the country.
Police are becoming increasingly concerned about Antonin Mican who was last seen on his yacht at Gardenstown last month.
Despite an extensive air and sea search of the Moray Firth coastline, no trace of the 32-year-old – or his distinctive red and blue vessel – has been found.
Yesterday, police launched a poster campaign aimed at widening the search throughout Scotland.
The flyers, which feature a photograph of Mr Mican along with a police hotline number, will go on display at harbours, shops and notice boards along the coast.
They were put together as a partnership between police, the National Missing Person’s Bureau and charity Missing People.
It is understood that Mr Mican, who moved to Scotland from the Czech Republic several years ago, had previously told friends he was interested in sailing to Wick.
But he disappeared without warning on Friday, October 11.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson, who is leading the inquiry, said yesterday: “Those who spoke to him that evening say there was nothing to suggest he was about to go off and not come back.
“He really didn’t give any indication about where he was going to anyone.
“With this appeal, we want to go as national as we can. It became apparent to us relatively quickly that he could have gone much further afield and that’s why we need to have this poster in harbours and ports across the country.”
He said: “I’m not a maritime expert, but I would have thought, if he had sunk, something would have washed ashore locally by now.
“We have had people phoning in, telling us they have found items on the shores, such as pieces of clothing.
“There’s been nothing which has given us a positive line of inquiry, but we are very pleased that people are calling in.”
Mr Mican is 5ft 8in, slim with short, black hair, green eyes and a tanned complexion. At the time of his disappearance, he was unemployed.
His boat, the Swallow Tail, is said to be a 22ft long, Jaguar 22.