A LEGENDARY yachtsman attempting his 17th transatlantic crossing has died after being found in the sea off the Cornish coast.

The alarm was raised for Philip Walwyn, who is reported to be originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, after his 40ft boat was found unmanned in the harbour at Coverack Cove.

An air and sea search operation was launched and Mr Walwyn was pulled from the water on Monday afternoon and flown to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where he was pronounced dead.

The 68-year-old, who lived on the Caribbean island of St Kitts, was attempting to cross the Atlantic ocean for a 17th time.

Mr Walwyn was a past commodore of St Kitts Yacht Club, which described him as "one of the world's utmost sailing legends".

In a statement, the club said: "It is with great sadness that we bring news of the passing of a great man - a legend in his own right.

"We say goodbye to one of the world's utmost sailing icons, and our past commodore, Philip Walwyn.

"Philip was in the midst of his 17th transatlantic sail when tragedy struck. Philip is a man that has come into so many people's lives and has given his heart and soul to everyone and everything he's ever encountered.

"We all give thanks to Philip, to his knowledge and his love of the ocean.

"Philip will always be remembered for his heroism, his honour and his very witty sense of humour.

"His beautiful wife Kate will forever be in our hearts as well, she is just as strong and as memorable as Philip is.

"Philip will forever be in our thoughts and our hearts, and we will all remember the wisdom that he has bestowed upon us.

"Philip, you have touched so many people worldwide... thank-you. Woop Woop!"

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "His death is not being treated as suspicious but police are investigating the circumstances of how he came to be in the water.

"Police will undertake an examination of the recovered yacht as part of the investigation. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has also been informed."