Concern for welfare of sailor Kristian Larsen last seen bound for Mexico from Darwin

In an eerie echo of a 2018 incident when Kris Larsen was lucky to be found alive after 100 days lost at sea – the 68-year-old has once again not been seen since leaving Darwin on his homemade yacht last year.

Kristian Larsen in 2013. The sailor has not been seen since August 2023 when he departed for Mexico from Darwin on his homemade yacht.

Northern Territory Police hold concerns for the welfare of sailor Kristian Larsen who has not been seen for months after departing on a solo trip to Mexico with his cat.

The 68-year-old experienced mariner left Darwin on his homemade sailing yacht, the Kehaar, in August last year.

Mr Larsen had been making intermittent contact via email to friends in Darwin.

NT Police hold concerns for the welfare of Kristian Larsen, 68, who departed Darwin in August 2023 on his yacht, the Kehaar, bound for Mexico. Pic: Supplied.

The last known contact was in November, when he stated that he was in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, and was leaving with the boat in good condition and with five months worth of supplies.

Mr Larsen has not been seen since and it is unknown if he reached his destination or if he returned back to Darwin.

Investigations were launched after a missing person’s report was filed with police last week.

Larsen’s yacht, the Kehaar. (U.S. Coast Guard video/Released)

But this is not the first time Mr Larsen has been missing.

The veteran sailor made international headlines in 2018 when he was found in a “disoriented state” off the coast of Hawaii after 100 days lost at sea.

Larsen in 2013.

This masthead reported at the time Mr Larsen had been attempting to sail the Kehaar from Panama to Australia at the end of a five year long world trip, with no communications equipment on board.

It was reported then that Mr Larsen lost his bearings, spending days in the open waters confined to his 9m boat.

Passengers aboard a passing commercial boat, 6km off the coast of Maui, finally spotted him when they heard his cries for help.

Larsen’s yacht, the Kehaar. (U.S. Coast Guard video/Released)

In 2013 he also spent 42 days stranded at sea when he was blown 760km west of Darwin by persistent easterly winds after setting sail from Bali to relocate the ketch White Bird to Darwin.

He lost communications and had to battle bad winds alone on the 12m steel ketch, which had a broken-down engine and damaged sails.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2400076600.