The chief executive of US surfwear retailer Boardriders Inc is believed to be missing at sea after his boat washed up on a French beach. 

The French coastguard raised the alarm on Tuesday when Pierre Agnes’ sailboat was found on the country’s Atlantic coast.

Agnes sent a message to port authorities indicating that he was delaying his return due to harsh weather conditions and his beached boat was later found on a French beach, with air and sea operations now underway.