An air and sea search is underway for Pierre Agnes, the CEO of Quiksilver, after his empty boat washed up on the French coastline near surfing locale Hossegor.
The coastguard was alerted after Agnes’ 11-metre vessel was found on the coastline on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old had taken the boat into the Bay of Biscay early in the morning, but informed on-shore authorities his return would be delayed by dense fog.
Two boats and three helicopters have been deployed for the search efforts.
Authorities from the Landes prefecture said winds were mild in the region, but waves nearing 2.5 metres in height were limiting visibility.
Depuis la plage d’Hossegor, les pompiers, les gendarmes et la SNSM soutiennent les recherches en mer pour retrouver Pierre Agnès, le PDG de QuickSilver https://t.co/zVKvlfCKTu pic.twitter.com/MeB6UDwvOG
— France Bleu Gascogne (@Bleu_Gascogne) January 30, 2018
Pro surfer Kelly Slater took to Instagram with a message about Agnes’ disappearance, saying he was “praying for a miracle” during the search.
Agnes, who has worked for Quiksilver for nearly 30 years, was appointed CEO in 2015.
