Please select your home edition
Edition
Lloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px TOP

Three countries in Search and Rescue for Abby Sunderland

by Nancy Knudsen on 11 Jun 2010
Approximate last known position of Abby Sunderland SW
Three countries are searching for ways to assist Abby Sunderland who was trying to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the world. Her manual EPIRB and personal locator beacons have activated in the Southern Ocean. The American, French and Australian Search and Rescue authorities are cooperating to find the closest ships to Abby's last known location.

Australian Search and Rescue authorities have already launched an aircraft heading to her last known position.

As Abby's automatic, water-activated EPIRB has not sounded an alarm as yet, this indicates that the EPIRB has not been submerged and Wild Eyes is still afloat. As long as this automatic EPIRB is operative and not damaged, this points to the possibility that Abby has been hurt or that the boat is sufficiently damaged in some way that she can no longer sail it. It is not at all likely that Abby has gone overboard as reported in some of the world's press, as she would have been unable to activate her alarm. One of the alarms was attached to her survival suit, normally used when in the water or in a life raft.

Last know position was reported as Latitude -34.885931, Longitude 74.53125

Latest word from Team Abby is that the boat is drifting backwards at around 1 knot. This indicates that no sails are active and that the yacht is not in an upright position, as it would be drifting at a faster rate in a normal sailing position without sails. If the keel has snapped off, then there would be a good air pocket under the yacht for Abby to wait for rescue.

Abby was 20 days into her leg from Capetown to Cape Leeuwin on the south west tip of Australia, and her last known position was to the north east of the Kerguelen Archipelago, owned by France. A French fishing vessel from the Archipelago has been diverted to her position, but is not expected to arrive for many hours.

Abby's team always knew that the section of water she must pass through after passing the Kerguelens was to be a rough one, as between 80 and 100E, tropical storms moving south easterly can sometimes merge with a cold front, causing a monster low.

Before the alarms went off, Abby had been knocked down several times in the latest systems passing over her. The forecast winds of 60 knots had eventuated, but the winds had subsided to around 35 knots.

A Qantas airbus is to overfly the location to try to make contact via VHF radio or satellite phone.

Her family, brother Zac, father Lawrence and mother Julianne, have been typically cool about the situation, with these assurances: 'Abby has all of the equipment on board to survive a crisis situation like this. She has a dry suit, survival suit, life raft, and ditch bag with emergency supplies. If she can keep warm and hang on, help will be there as soon as possible.

'Wild Eyes is designed for travel in the Southern Ocean and is equipped with 5 air-tight bulkheads to keep her buoyant in the event of major hull damage. It is built to Category 0 standards and is designed to self-right in the event of capsize.'

The boat is an Open 40, a 12.9 metre racing boat, specifically designed for single-handed sailing in the Southern Ocean. It was chosen by Abby and her advisers because 'it has the benefit of both speed and safety necessary to navigate the conditions that Abby will experience.'

Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMMaritimo S Series

Related Articles

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race overall
Presentation Ceremony held as breeze deprives last two boats As the official presentation ceremony of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) started at 12pm (NZDT), two yachts remain at sea, breeze deprived but rewarded with magical experiences.
Posted today at 3:00 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show 4 Season 3
Matt Allen AM on Brisbane 2032, World Sailing, and of course, the 80th Sydney to Hobart Episode Four - In the Captain's Chair this week is Matt Allen AM
Posted on 17 Oct
IFCA Fin & Foil Slalom Europeans day 3
Sunshine and steady breeze - Foil racing back in action The IFCA European Championships Slalom Fin & Foilcontinue in the best possible way in Torbole, hosted by the Circolo Surf Torbole in collaboration with IFCA and under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos day 1
Tow-in funnel fiesta kicks off the action Straight from the banks of Lake Geneva to the sunny shores of Naxos, the Freestyle action doesn't stop!
Posted on 17 Oct
Rolex Middle Sea Race: Full Focus
118 yachts and 1000 crew gathered in Grand Harbour, Valletta For the 118 yachts and the 1000 crew gathered for the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race, the waiting is almost over.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race - The Maltese spirit
There are 13 Maltese teams. The Rolex Middle Sea Race lies at the heart of Malta's maritime heritage—a 606-nautical-mile challenge that continues to capture the imagination of sailors from around the world.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 World Sailing Awards finalists revealed
Voting opens today, including Rolex World Sailor of the Year World Sailing is very proud to announce the finalists for this year's male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year, 11th Hour Racing Impact Award, and Team of the Year.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 3
The biggest masters field in windsurfing history and junior champions crowned Day 3 of the Aloha Classic Grand Final delivered a spectacular showcase of windsurfing talent across generations, from the rising stars of the Junior and Pro Junior divisions to the legendary Masters.
Posted on 17 Oct
DF95 US National Championship preview
Small boats driven by big talent 59 top sailors will race in this weekend's DF95 National Championship at the Sail Newport public sailing center. Racing starts tomorrow and continues through Sunday. It's the premier national event for the radio-controlled sailboat class.
Posted on 17 Oct
The Crazy Week of the Globe40
After two weeks at sea since the start from Cape Verde This has been a week we won't soon forget in the story of this second edition of the GLOBE40. After two weeks at sea since the start from Cape Verde in this high-coefficient (3) leg 2, the competitors continued their descent of the South Atlantic.
Posted on 17 Oct