Rescue imminent for Abby Sunderland - latest updates

by Australian Maritime Safety Authority on 12 Jun 2010
Here are the latest updates from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on the Abby Sunderland search and rescue operation:

MSA Coordinating Search and Rescue - Wild Eyes
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 4.30pm 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.