12 June 2010 - 11:30pm Update
Following the successful rescue of Abby Sunderland by the fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion earlier this evening, arrangements to land Ms Sunderland have been negotiated.
The Ile De La Reunion will proceed to the Kerguelen Islands (a journey of approximately two days), where Ms Sunderland will be transferred to the French Fisheries Patrol Vessel, Osiris.
It is anticipated the Osiris will return to its home port at La Reunion. The distance from Kerguelen Islands to La Reunion is approximately 1800 nautical miles.
12 June 2010 - 8:00pm MEDIA RELEASE
The rescue of 16 year old US solo sailor, Abby Sunderland, from the yacht Wild Eyes to the fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion was successfully conducted at 7:45pm AEST today - approximately 2000 nautical miles off the West Australian coast.
The rescue, coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia (RCC Australia), was conducted with the support of a Global Express aircraft which provided top cover during the transfer and served as a communications relay between Wild Eyes and the Ile De La Reunion. The crew of the Ile De La Reunion conducted the rescue with a boat launched from the fishing vessel.
RCC Australia has notified Ms Sunderland’s family of the successful rescue. Arrangements to land Ms Sunderland will now be negotiated with the three ships that have responded to the distress situation.
International Maritime Organization guidelines indicate that such arrangements should avoid disruption to commercial shipping as far as possible. Since the fishing vessel would suffer a significant commercial penalty from leaving the fishing grounds, it is possible that Ms Sunderland will be transferred to one of the other two ships. One ship is bound for Australia and the other would likely return to its home port at La Reunion.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of operators and authorities, both national and international, that have worked together to successfully conduct this rescue - these include Maritime RCC La Reunion, Qantas, WA Police, Fire and Emergency Services Authority
of Western Australia, Defence and the three ships which are responding.
The Master of the Ile De La Reunion has reported Ms Sunderland is safe and in good health.
12 June 2010 - 10:30am Update
In preparation for the arrival on scene of the fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion anticipated for late this afternoon, RCC Australia has tasked a Global Express aircraft to the scene. This aircraft is planned to arrive at the known position of Wild Eyes at approximately 5.30pm AEST. The aircraft will attempt to regain radio contact with Wild Eyes ahead of the planned rescue.
The position of Wild Eyes continues to be monitored via distress beacon transmission.
Weather in the area has improved slightly with 30-35 knot winds and a 4-5 metre swell.
A further update will be provided this evening.
11 June 2010 - 5:30pm Update
At 12.30pm overall coordination of the search and rescue was transferred to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre (known as "RCC Australia"), as the yacht Wild Eyes had drifted into the Australian search and rescue region.
The vessel was located by the QANTAS Airbus just after at 4.00pm (AEST) and radio contact made with Ms Sunderland. She is in reported to be in good spirits. The vessel's mast has been broken off. Ms Sunderland reports the vessel is not taking any water and will remain safe until a rescue can be completed.
It is planned that the rescue will be conducted by a fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion tomorrow with assistance from other long range aircraft. Another two ships are also proceeding to the scene to arrive on Sunday.
It is possible that Ms Sunderland will be taken to La Reunion, but the precise details will depend on the circumstances facing the rescue vessels later in the weekend.
11 June 2010 - 11:30am Update
Australia is providing air support assistance to a French (La Reunion) coordinated search and rescue in the Indian Ocean for the US yacht Wild Eyes.
US citizen Abby Sunderland (16) sailed from California on 23 January 2010 to circumnavigate the globe in the yacht Wild Eyes. At approximately 1.00 a.m. (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Friday 11 June the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) detected transmissions from two distress beacons registered to Wild Eyes. The detections are currently in position 40 48 South 74 58 East, approximately 2033 nautical miles west south west from Perth in the central southern Indian Ocean. There are currently no communications with Wild Eyes.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at La Reunion, operated by France, is coordinating the search & rescue response overall as Wild Eyes is in La Reunion's search and rescue region. Australia offered to assist if required.
La Reunion has requested air search assistance to establish the situation on scene, recognising that the remoteness of the location would delay any ship response. The most rapid means to get an aircraft on scene is to send a QANTAS A-330 Airbus passenger aircraft from Perth. The aircraft should be on scene mid-afternoon Friday 11 June. The aircraft mission will be to attempt to communicate with Ms Sunderland from high level and, if necessary, to descend and make visual contact to assess the circumstances.
La Reunion is coordinating three seaborne responses. A fishing vessel can be on scene on Saturday afternoon, a French Fisheries Patrol vessel can be on scene on Sunday morning, and an offshore support vessel can be there on Sunday evening. Each of the three vessels should be capable of conducting a rescue, subject to prevailing weather conditions.
|
