A 35-year-old yachtsman from Kent has died along with two friends in a mystery sailing tragedy near the Isle of Wight.

The body of Jason Downer, from Broadstairs, was spotted in the sea by the Solent coastguard helicopter early on Wednesday evening, five miles south of St Catherine’s Point, following what may have been a mid-Channel collision.

Police said the bodies of two other crewmen from the yacht Ouzo had been found earlier. James Meaby, from Tooting, south London, was found by fishermen on Tuesday morning. He was still weariing a lifejacket and it was the first that anyone knew of the tragedy.

The body of 36-year-old yacht owner Ruper Saunders, also from Tooting, was discovered on Wednesday evening.

The friends, described as experienced sailors, had set out from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight on Sunday evening, heading for the Royal Regatta at Dartmouth. They were due to race later in the week but never arrived.

No distress call was registered by coastguards who believe the Ouzo may have been run down by a larger vessel at night or collided with a submerged container and sank before the crew could raise the alarm.

A major air sea rescue operation was launched and involved an TRAF Nimrod aircraft and Royal Navy minsesweepers, as well as helicopters, lifeboats and the police marine unit, after the first body had been found.

Brian Taylor, of the Solent coastguard, said: "We can only make the assumption that the missing yacht has been involved in some sort of catastrophic collision. We have no record of any messages of distress being sent out.

"We would have expected someone on board a larger vessel to report it but they could have been below deck. If they had been run down and it has not been reported then sadly I must say that would not have been the first time that has happened."

The families of the three men issued this statement on Thursday.

"Rupert Saunders, James Meaby and Jason Downer are a group who have been close friends for many years, going back to school and university days.

"All three had a zest for life, following testing professional careers along with a love for sports, including sailing. They were all competent, qualified sailors and were on board Rupert’s 26-foot yacht Ouzo, which he shared with his brother Jamie.

"On Sunday, August 20, they set out to sail from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight to Dartmouth, Devon, a voyage with which they were familiar, having done the same trip before.

"The yacht Ouzo is a well-equipped vessel, based at Bembridge, where Rupert’s family have a home. As well as sailing, the lads also keenly enjoyed rugby and skiing, being keen supporters of Quinn’s rugby team.

"They all were loving family members who will be dearly missed."

Dick Smith, Vice Commodore (Sail) from the Royal temple Yachtclub at Ramsgate, was sailing a yacht back from Cherbourg to Ramsgate on Tuesday late afternoon when he heard of the tragedy.

He said: "Shipping in the area was asked to look for any signs of wreckage or discolouration in the water. I was close by and scoured the sea but saw nothing."

An inquest is due to be opened next week by the Isle of Wight coroner.

Any trace of the yacht has yet to be found.