Solo yachtsman rescued 2100km west of Perth
AMSA has successfully co-ordinated the rescue of a solo sailor from his dismasted yacht in the remote Indian OceanThe Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully co-ordinated the rescue of a solo yachtsman by a merchant ship 2100 kilometres west of Perth.
The yacht had been conducting an around-the-world voyage when it lost its mast in heavy weather on Thursday night.
The solo yachtsman activated an emergency signalling device which was relayed to AMSA by the International Emergency Response Coordination Centre in the United States.
AMSA requested the yachtsman to activate his emergency beacon and issued a broadcast to shipping in the area.
The broadcast was answered by the United States flagged Car Carrier Patriot, which changed course to assist.
Due to the distance offshore, AMSA chartered a Falcon 900 jet aircraft from Perth with a Western Australia Police officer on board to fly to the search area.
Both the Patriot and the jet arrived on the scene at about 1230 AEDT on Friday (November 17) where the jet oversaw the rescue operation. The sailor was brought safely on board the Patriot at 1320 AEDT that day.
The yachtsman was confirmed to be in good health and the Patriot resumed its journey to Fremantle where it arrived on Monday (November 20, 2017).
Pictured with the story is Captain Kiah Pinto, the master of the car carrier MV Patriot which picked up the solo sailor, and Captain Peter Natalo, the pilot of the Falcon 900 jet, which assisted during the rescue operation, after they met in Fremantle on Monday.
WA Police also assisted in the operation. The survivor, who activated a distress signalling device, was in good health despite his ordeal and having been alone at sea for more than 136 days.
AMSA has also expressed its sincere thanks to the Master and crew of the Patriot for answering the call for help and rescuing the yachtsman in difficult conditions.
Due to the remote location, the assistance of the commercial cargo ship was vital in this successful rescue operation.
We can only imagine that the sailor would also be keen to offer his or her eternal thanks, too.
Beacons save lives. More at AMSA about Distress Beacons
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