A US man’s lifeless body was washed ashore this morning at Shelly Bay, following an overnight marine emergency in which a boat sank off North Shore.

According to police, a distress call came around 12.30am near the area of Blackwatch Pass.

Police and Bermuda Maritime Operations were told a Florida man on a boat with two cats aboard had gotten into difficulties on the water.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: “A maritime search for the vessel ensued and a debris field was established.”

He said forensic officers found the body, believed to be the missing sailor’s, on Shelly Bay Beach at 7.50am. It is understood that the cats have not been found.

According to Bermuda Maritime Operations, divers have located the wreck of the vessel off the North Shore.

“Quite a bit of debris was left behind, and some flotsam came ashore around the area where the body washed up on Shelly Bay Beach,” a spokesman said. “The vessel will be lifted either today or tomorrow, and after that we should be able to determine what caused it to sink — whether it struck an object or there was some kind of technical fault.”

Officers were seen removing a small white punt that may have been connected with the incident. No further details were available as the victim’s family are still being contacted but check The Royal Gazette website for updates throughout today.

Earlier this morning, Premier Craig Cannonier offered his condolences to the family of the dead man.

“The disturbing news this morning that we have found a body at Shelly Bay has pretty much shaken up all of us at Cabinet,” he said.

“We don’t know at this time the family but I am sure when they are notified we want to send out our condolences. No loss of life in Bermuda should go without our condolences and our heartfelt prayers.”