British expat in his 70s is found dead 'with hand tied to the deck' of his sunken boat when passing sailors spotted his beloved dog clinging to the mast above water in Crete port

A British expat has been found dead with one hand 'tied to the deck' on his sunken sailing boat in a port on the Greek island of Crete, it has been reported.

The man, in his 70s, was mysteriously found on the half-submerged vessel in the port of Souda, near Chania.

It is claimed that the man had one hand tied to the deck of boat, which managed to sink despite clear weather. 

The Greek Coast Guard and the Souda Port Authority attended the scene after it was reported to them by fishermen.

A British expat has been found dead with one hand 'tied to the deck' on his sunken sailing boat in a port on the Greek island of Crete, it has been reported

The man, in his 70s, was mysteriously found on the half-submerged vessel in the port of Souda, near Chania

His body was pulled out of the water and transported by EKAB ambulance to Chania Hospital for an autopsy. 

 According to Zarpa News, the British national had been living on the boat alone with his dog since his wife's death 10 years before.

Local media reported that he was the victim of a robbery on his boat two years ago and was found with his feet bound by a rope.

He was described as a 'calm man' and was well known among locals, according to Creta Live. 

His body was pulled out of the water and transported by EKAB ambulance to Chania Hospital for an autopsy

The man's dog was found alive on the boat trying to hold on to the wreckage to avoid drowning.

In a post appealing for a family to foster him, Chania Animal Protection said: 'A sailboat sunk in the port of Souda was found this morning by fishermen.

'The fishermen located the sailboat mast in the water, after hearing a dog on it crying and trying to hold on to the wreckage of the sailboat so as not to drown.

'Unfortunately, the guardian of the dog, who is an English citizen, was found dead.

The man's dog was found alive on the boat trying to hold on to the wreckage to avoid drowning. A local charity are now trying to find him a new home

'The dog is currently on the fishermen's boat in shock and the police notified us if we can help.

'Please anyone who can foster the dog temporarily, so that the police can look for the family of his unfortunate guardian.

'The dog is in confusion and shock and will need a calm environment until a solution is found.'

The expat has not yet been identified.