Mystery boat washes up on remote beach near Cooktown, sailor missing

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The mystery boat that has washed ashore north of Cooktown. Picture: QPS

A US sailor has been declared missing after his empty boat washed up on a remote Far North Queensland beach.

Police are appealing for help to find US citizen Hartwell Champagne, 62, who last contacted family a week ago on Wednesday, September 10.

His 14m sailing boat Ocean Rambler was found at about 11.30pm on Saturday, September 13, near Cape Bedford north of Cooktown.

Police conducted a search on Sunday morning, but found no trace of the man near the boat.

If you have information for police about this, or any other, incident, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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