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A Queensland sailor stranded off the coast of South Australia for 24 hours amid 110km/h winds has been rescued.
Xavier Doerr, 22, was circumnavigating the country in a small, 6.5-metre long vessel when he ran into treacherous conditions yesterday afternoon.
An emergency signal was issued from his vessel in the Great Australian Bight at about 4.50pm on Friday, 630km west of Kangaroo Island, and about 740km southeast of Esperance, a part of the ocean currently facing treacherous conditions.
A statement posted on the Facebook page for Doerr’s trip, The Little Aussie Lap, said the yacht and all its contents had to be abandoned.
“The 22-year-old was brought aboard after two failed attempts, however his 21-foot Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard yacht with all contents aboard was left adrift in the southern ocean,” the statement said.
“The rescue came after Xavier activated a personal emergency beacon in rough conditions, triggering a land and sea search.”
Doerr was taken on board by diverted Indonesian bulk carrier Theodore JR today, which made several attempts to rescue him after responding to Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) emergency broadcast.
“AMSA is currently providing medical advice and will make plans to transfer the sailor ashore once their condition has been assessed,” the agency said in a statement.
Two bulk carriers had been diverted from their destinations to help in the search.
“Both the Perth and Melbourne-based AMSA Challenger rescue aircraft remained overhead during the night and communicated with the solo sailor via VHF radio,” a statement from the AMSA earlier on Saturday read.
“A RAAF aircraft has now reached the vessel’s location. AMSA issued an emergency broadcast and has diverted Bulk Carrier Theodore JR, which is expected to arrive to the area approximately 11.30am.
“Weather conditions in the area are severe with winds estimated at 100-110 km/h and seas reported to be 6m.”
