Source : Perth Now news
A Canadian sailor whose vessel was sinking in the Timor Sea has been plucked to safety by a navy helicopter in a dramatic rescue operation.
The man, who was sailing his catamaran from Darwin to Christmas Island, encountered severe weather and failed to make scheduled reports on Sunday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Dan Gillis said the vessel’s last known position was?in a very isolated part of the world, 1000km northwest of Broome.
A Perth-based Challenger search and rescue jet used radar to locate the partially submerged vessel, and video showed the sailor in a tender vessel, waving his arms.
The jet dropped a life raft and a communications kit, including an emergency beacon.
“Once he received the life raft drop from our rescue jet, he climbed aboard ? and waited there for emergency rescue,” Mr Gillis said on Monday.
AMSA’s rescue co-ordination centre requested military assistance and HMAS Supply, which was 100 nautical miles away, was sent to assist.
The navy vessel deployed a Seahawk rescue helicopter, and video of the rescue shows the man being winched from the life raft before being flown to HMAS Supply.
“We believe he’s in good condition with no serious medical issues, and he’s currently on the way back to Darwin,” Mr Gillis said.
“Wonderful to be able to provide assistance to this Canadian sailor, who got into trouble in a very remote part of the world.”
AMSA spokesman Alex Barrell said the rescue was an example of co-ordinated search and rescue planning, strong and reliable national capability and the importance of being prepared before heading out to sea.
“This operation demonstrates Australia’s ability to co-ordinate a rapid and effective response across one of the world’s largest search and rescue regions,” he said.
“From the initial alert raised by family members overseas through to the deployment of AMSA’s rescue jet and support from HMAS Supply and its embarked helicopter, multiple agencies worked together to achieve a successful outcome.
“This incident also highlights how quickly circumstances can change and deteriorate offshore and the importance of being prepared before heading to sea.”
Reliable communications and a trusted person ashore who knew when to raise the alarm could make all the difference, he said.
