Abby Sunderland's father says her quest is now over
by www.abc.net.au on 11 Jun 2010
Abby setting off in Wild Eyes. photo William Bennett ASC and Ted Caloroso SW
Crew on a Qantas plane have made contact with a solo sailor who is in trouble in the southern Indian Ocean.
American adventurer Abby Sunderland, 16, activated two distress signals last night and an international rescue operation has been launched involving Australian and French authorities.
A spokesman for Qantas says an Airbus aircraft has found the teenage sailor in an area about 2,000 nautical miles off the West Australian coast.
Abby's father, Laurence Sunderland, has told ABC Local 702 Sydney the search and rescue vessel has made contact with the 16-year-old.
'They've verified she's not injured. The boat is not upside down,' Mr Sunderland said.
'They made contact with her by VHF radio from the aeroplane down to her.
'We've got our Abigail back.'
'Probably the best news we at home base could have wished for. We are ecstatic.'
Mr Sunderland says his daughter's quest to sail around the world in her Wild Eyes yacht is over.
The vessel is not taking on water but it has been dismasted.
'She'll be back. I don't know how she'll be routed back to us here or where we'll go to meet her, but knowing that she's alive and well means far more to me than any sailing record.'
A Qantas spokesman says the Airbus crew is establishing coordinates so boats on their way to rescue the teenager will know her position.
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