A clueless Scots sailor today came under fire for setting sail with only a mobile phone and no navigation equipment on board.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched for the 27-foot Boy John yesterday, before the boat was finally located in the early hours today.

The sailor – who has not been named – set off from Peterhead to sail to Wick and then Scrabster. The alarm was raised as the vessel was in poor condition, with no radios or maritime charts on board and an anchor which was not connected to the boat.

Four lifeboats, a rescue helicopter, and eight coastguard rescue teams were called out. The sailor was eventually sent a text on his mobile phone asking him to dial 999 in order to ascertain his position.

The boat was traced to the Pentland Firth this morning, although the sailor thought he was in the Dornoch Firth.

Matthew Mace, watch manager at Aberdeen Coastguard, said: ‘The owner also did not have a clue about where he was. This greatly concerns us that besides putting himself at risk, he could have been a hazard to other shipping and of course has put pressure on the marine rescue services in all its forms in order to maintain his safety cover.’