A coronial inquest is being held to investigate what might have happened to Ian Shardlow, an experienced sailor who mysteriously disappeared off the coast of Western Australia almost 18 months ago.
The 76-year-old man who took his yacht out off the coast of Busselton, in the state's South West, in August 2012.
Mr Shardlow departed the Port Geographe Marina alone, shortly before midday, on his vessel called Two Up, which is a small twin-hull yacht.
In his opening address to the court on Friday, counsel assisting the coroner Sergeant Lyle Housiaux said Mr Shardlow failed to return as indicated on his trip plan logged with Volunteer Marine Radio Monitoring service.
"A search had been conducted and Two Up was found later that night," Sgt Housiaux said.
"The sails were down and the yacht was under power. There was no person on board."
After four days of land, sea and air searching, there was still no sign of Mr Shardlow, the court heard.
"A forensic examination of the vessel revealed blood in sufficient quantities and the police could not exclude that Mr Shardlow had either taken his own life or met with some other violent injury or death," Sgt Housiaux said.
But police could not identify any traditional signs to indicate suicide, he said.
The coroner will hand down his findings at a later date.
