Pierre Agnes, the 54-year-old CEO of Quiksilver, is missing after his boat washed up at Hossegor in France on Tuesday morning.
According to reports, Agnes headed out just after 7 a.m. Two hours later, his 36-foot vessel was spotted in the surf at La Graviere with no one aboard. Search crews were dispatched immediately, and as of publication, are currently underway. Agnes is an avid fisherman and sailor.
It’s not clear whether Agnes was alone, and three helicopters along with two boats are searching the coastline. Although the seas were reportedly rough, the wind was light. Reuters reported that “Agnes sent a message to port authorities indicating that he was delaying his return because of thick fog.”
Agnes has been with Quiksilver for nearly three decades and has been the CEO of Quiksilver since 2015. We’ll have more on this story as it develops. Quiksilver representatives declined to comment directly on Tuesday, but they did issue a press release. “Early this morning our CEO, Pierre Agnes, did what he did many mornings and went fishing on his beloved boat to start his day,” the company wrote. “Later in the morning, his boat was recovered on the beach near his hometown and Pierre has not been heard from since. The Boardriders family and entire surfing world are devastated by this news. Given the situation on the ground is still evolving, our statements today will be limited. We are concentrating on working with the local authorities on the search and rescue effort and supporting Pierre’s family. Please keep Pierre and his family in your prayers. Thank you.”
