RYA and JSRA Official Jeremy Hoyland missing

10:03 AM Thu 30 Oct 2008 GMT
RYA Official and former JSRA Race Director Jeremy Hoyland remains missing.

The Powerboat Racing community are still in shock at hearing the news that former Race Director of the Jet Sport Racing Association went missing at sea on Friday 24th October in Bali.

Jeremy had recently attended the IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu, Arizona then was invited to attend the 2008 Asia Beach Games in Bali as Race Director for the Jet Ski Sport events.

On October 24, the tides did not match the chart that was provided to race organisers so racing was put off until the late afternoon so that competitors could race in the safest water conditions. The staff were given the morning and early afternoon off for personal time.

Mr Hoyland and four of his friends travelled to Nusa Lembongan on borrowed sea scooters. Bali Police chief Insp Gen Asikin Husein told the Jakarta Post: 'On their way back, a member of the group said he was tired so Jeremy, who is an international jet ski master, offered to escort the group from behind. He didn't arrive at the base camp, however, when the others did.'

It is thought that Jeremy encountered mechanical problems on the borrowed PWC leaving him at the mercy of the currents.

Mr Husein said Mr Hoyland had sent a text message from his mobile phone around five hours after the others had returned to say he was about two miles from the beach.

The search was being concentrated to the south on the assumption Mr Hoyland had been dragged by a wave, he added. Helicopter search efforts began immediately upon the report of Jeremy not returning to the event site.

Jeremy's wife, Jacqui, and brother Nicholas have now joined the search in Bali. Meanwhile a family friend has offered a $10,000 (?6,380) reward for his return.

Rescue co-ordinator Heru Taryoto told the AFP news agency: 'Extensive air and sea search operations have so far failed to locate Mr Hoyland and his red Yamaha Jet ski.'

He added the authorities had urged people in Bali, Lombok, Nusa Penida and small neighbouring islands to help with the search.

Close personal friend, Jonathan Oddy said Mr Hoyland had more than 10 years' experience using sea scooters. He added: 'They have been searching extensively for him. There is still no news, and no sightings yet - but we are optimistic.

'Clearly at some point the local authorities will stand the search down - but if that happens then we will considering chartering an aircraft and carrying on privately.

'They are doing their best - but the resources are a lot limited compared to what you would have in the UK and the culture is a lot different too.'

As well as being involved with Jet Sport racing overseas and in the UK Jeremy was also a regular volunteer as a Safety marshal for Offshore powerboat racing.

A Facebook group has been set up in support of Jeremy and all his friends and family in these trying times www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33314837218and in addition to this his wife Jacqui's colleagues at TK Maxx have launched a blog site with the ability to donate to the Find Jeremy Hoyland Fund through Paypal jeremyhoylandrescue.myblogsite.com/to assist with cost of the search campaign.

Ours thoughts go out to Jeremy, his wife and family and friends at this time and look forward to his safe return.

by Nikki Drummond

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RYA and JSRA Official Jeremy Hoyland missing

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