AMSA coordinates rescue
French sailor in micro yacht winched to safety in Torres StraitAustralian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the search and rescue of a daring French yachtsman in Torres Strait.
The man was attempting take the record for sailing the smallest boat around the world. He had set off from French Polynesia and was en route to Darwin when he hit bad weather.
At around 2.00am on Monday, July 8, AMSA was contacted by French authorities alerting them to a yacht in distress. The distress was traced to the tiny foundering yacht 98nm north-east of Horn Island.
AMSA issued a broadcast to shipping in the area and sent its Cairns-based search and rescue Dornier aircraft and rescue helicopter from Horn Island to head to the area. AMSA’s Dornier located the yacht at approximately 11.15am.
The helicopter winched the man from the stricken yacht and transported him to Thursday Island for medical attention.
The miniature yacht that conflicting sources say measures anywhere from just 6ft to 9ft 6in long is still floating and has yet to be salvaged. But regardless of the discrepancy it's diminutive by any measure. Just look at the photo!
Oh, and the boat’s name? Reportedly Poisson D’Avril (April Fool).
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