Missing yachtswoman Ona Unwin, 65, who bought a Moody 31 from a yacht brokers in Falmouth, tried to engage a delivery skipper just hours before setting sail.

She was told six hours was not enough notice to find and organise a professional skipper.

The mother-of-four also set sail two days before a survey, which had been arranged for the boat,Seagair, could take place. This means she may well have been left uninsured.

Mrs Unwin was last seen at the anchorage at Mousehole, Cornwall. She is believed to have left there bound for Bideford, North Devon.

A lifeboat and helicopter search for the millionairess was called off following the discovery of wreckage thought to be her boat, being recovered off Sennen Cove.

Mrs Unwin and her husband Carol, from Northam in north Devon, had only just re-married after getting divorced about a year ago.

Mrs Unwin bought the £32,000 yacht in Falmouth and was accompanied by her husband at the time.