On May 25, 2026, a catamaran was discovered adrift and empty approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Morocco, near the city of El Jadida. The vessel, identified as the 'Sirocco,' was found by a Moroccan fishing boat, which alerted authorities. The boat showed no signs of damage or struggle, raising concerns about the fate of its occupants.
The two French nationals, identified as Jean-Pierre Dubois, 54, and Marie Dubois, 52, from Marseille, had departed from the port of Sète, France, on May 20, 2026, for a sailing trip to the Canary Islands. They were reported missing on May 22 when they failed to check in with family. The catamaran's last known position was tracked via satellite on May 21, about 100 nautical miles west of Gibraltar.
Moroccan and French authorities have launched a joint search operation, involving aircraft and naval vessels. The French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Corsen is coordinating with Moroccan counterparts. No distress signal was received from the vessel, and the search area covers a radius of 50 nautical miles from where the catamaran was found.
As of May 26, 2026, no trace of the two individuals has been found. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the vessel for any clues. The families of the missing have been informed and are being supported by French consular services in Morocco.
