A teenage solo sailor, Abby Sunderland, who was feared missing in the Indian Ocean has been found alive and well.
Sixteen-year-old Abby Sunderland was located late this afternoon by a Qantas Airbus A330 sent from Perth to search for the solo sailor, who activated two emergency beacons earlier this morning.
Search and rescue efforts are under way for US teenager Abby Sunderland, who is attempting to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world (27,500 nautical miles), is believed to be off the West Australian coast after manually activating two emergency distress beacons.
Abby Sunderland
Abby Sunderland leaves for her world record attempting journey from Marina del Rey, California. Photograph: Richard Hartog/AP
Abby Sunderland, 16, had been a little past the halfway point in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone when she activated her emergency distress beacons. A third beacon which triggers automatically if it goes 15 feet underwater was not activated, giving an indication that the Class 40 racing sailboat “Wild Eyes” is still upright.
Abby’s remote location puts her out of reach for a helicopter rescue, but a Qantas passenger jet contracted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is expected to arrive at her position by daybreak (Abby is 11 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time) to assess the circumstances. Unable to perform a rescue of Abby, the jet will provide air support assistance in the form of locating, tracking, and communication with Abby until one of the several ships diverted can reach her, which is expected 40 hours out (another 2 days).
Abby Sunderland’s family stated they were speaking with her by satellite phone around 4am western US time (Thursday 9pm AEST) when the line dropped. Shortly after, Abby had activated her emergency beacons.
While on the phone, Abby told her family that she was sailing in rough conditions with winds up to 60 knots and waves “20 to 25 feet” in height (6 to 7.5 metres) and that she had experienced several knockdowns.
Abby’s family stated the following on her blog:
We were helping her troubleshoot her engine that she was trying to start to charge her systems. Satellite phone reception was patchy. She was able to get the water out of the engine and start her up.
We were waiting to hear back from her when American Search & Rescue authorities called to report having received a signal from her emergency beacon (EPIRB).
We were referred to Australian Search & Rescue and while we were on the phone with them another signal came in from her handheld PLB (Personal Locator Beacon).
Her water-activated EPIRB has not been activated so we are hopeful that the boat is still upright.
Abby is a high-school junior who has been dreaming of sailing around the world since she was 13. Her brother, Zac Sunderland, was the first to complete such a journey before turning 18.
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I had know idea she was even attempting this, shows how much I watch the news. I hope it turns out okay.
Well you have to admire her for her attempt. Not the kind of thing I would have wanted to do at her age. Glad shes safe.
I hope everything turns out ok for her. That’s one brave girl!
Brave – yes.
Ill advised – yes.
I hope she’s ok!!
UP
This is the first I’ve heard of this. I can’t imagine attempting such a thing on my own. She’s either brave or foolhardy, but I really hope she is safely rescued. You had to admire people who go for their dreams, though. That’s pretty amazing.
So glad to hear she is okay. I was following one of the young round-the-world sailor girls’ blog for awhile… I honestly cannot remember which one. But I admire their courage and strength!
I have been following this story and was SO glad to hear she has been found! I had been spastically checking her blog and CNN!
@Michele: Reports are that she is fine, her boat is damaged and she is awaiting one of the ships to arrive at her location.
@Ramona: Absolutely, at 2,000 miles out at sea anything can happen.
@Raven: I agree, one gutsy girl.
@UP: She’s actually quite the sailor!
@Talon: I would think she has quite an amazing life ahead of her.
@Tammy: You might have been following Jessica Watson, who just before her 17th birthday completed her journey sailing around the world.
@sarah: Good news for sure! She should be greeted by one of the rescue ships soon.
She’s incredible really…I admire her tenacity!
…I’m a mother and a grandmother…I’ll shut-up now…LOLOL
Geez….x$#%#….
Happy weekend Big Guy!
hughugs
@Natalie: She really is incredible!
@Donna: You always seem to crack me up.
Okay I admire this girl as well and I am glad she is okay but there is no way in hell I am letting my 16 year old do this. No way, I am all for following your dreams but she is too damn young to deal with just anything. What about the pirates on the seas? I would like to knock her parents heads together.
Glad to hear she’s ok but I’m with a couple of the others. There’s no way I would have let my 16 year old daughter do something like that. Go for your dreams but wait till you’re older.
Oh I am disappointed this didn’t work out for her.
She is an advanced sailor and seemed prepared.
As for her age — well, shit — we have quite a history of young explorers and adventurers. “Teenage” years really only began after WW II and the boomers were born to the “Greatest Generation” who wanted to coodle them and give them everything they didn’t have growing up. I think she’s old enough to follow her dreams, and her age was the point…
ps: yeah I know coons can be aggressive. Mine have never exhibited that wildness — growing up in the late ’60s and ’70s, the ones we fed then didn’t either. Guess we got lucky. Maybe the others culled them out, so not to ‘mess with a good thing.’ ha.
The bravery that girl has is just impressive. And while it’s certainly not something I’d do, every person makes choices and does things based on their own considerations of what’s worth the risk. So good for her for going for it.
@christina: Wow, you have a VERY valid point, the pirates out there have definitely been more active and BOLD. That is really scary thinking about it that way.
@ann: I believe her parents are now feeling this way, they have stated that after the thought of never seeing her again hit, there is no way she is continuing.
@Amy Gray Light: Abby was extremely experienced and prepared, I am also disappointed it didn’t go her way, but am happy it’s ending on a good note.
@Megan: I agree, she not only had the talent and experience, she had the heart and strength to pursue her dream. If not for the extreme storm she braved, Abby would have more than likely made it.
So glad to hear she is safe. However, I have to agree with others, I wouldn’t allow my 16 year old to undertake such an adventure but….she is remarkable and will surely go on to bigger things!
@Cheryl: She is definitely remarkable, and sure to go on to bigger things. I personally would not allow a child of mine at that age to do something so dangerous also.
I give this girl a gold star in my book! I would never have the guts to even think of something like that! I am so glad to hear she is safe!
Abby definitely has guts and heart!
It’s impressive, but there is absolutely no way I’d let my 16-year-old take that sort of risk. Not worth it.
I believe the majority, including myself, feel this way.
Well hello Urban Cowboy- Not too many guy blogs out there -your the 2nd one- Your blog is pretty darn cool- Love how you have set up, really Cool!
Placerville- is right up the road. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I will add you to my blog roll- of blogs im following.
Karryann
Welcome Karryann, and thanks for the comp!
It’s hard to imagine letting your child do something like that. I know her brother made the voyage, it’s remarkable and I admire their skills, knowledge, and courage, but as a parent, if it were my kid, it would be out of the question. So glad that she was found safe and sound.
I agree, it’s very fortunate she was safe…a lot can happen 2,000 miles at sea!
Yes…she is brave and a very experienced sailor…but as a mom…I wouldn’t want my 16 year old daughter doing that on her own…but…I’m sure if the tables were turned…and I knew that my daughter was skilled enough like Abby is…I’m sure I would let her do it…even though I would worry like crazy about her the entire time…
That’s a tough one for any parent to consider, and a very personal one at that. I believe she had the technical skill, for sure. Sometimes it takes more than that, though.
as more comes out regarding the motivations of said journey and the desire for fame (ie. their search for a reality show about it etc) it concerns me more. i do find it interesting the turn that has been made from the excitement of the journey to disgust, after the accident…
You hit the nail on the head! The media has done a 180 and now on the attack. Maybe their way of keeping the interest high, I don’t know.
I also find it interesting that they had been shopping a reality show also.
She is an amazing young woman. I think as a mom I would have made the decision for my daughter to wait until she was 18. And if she were 16 I suspect I would have a boat following her a few miles back to make sure I did not lose her. Hard call.
Oh wow…what a terrific idea…that’s probably what I would have done also, follow a few miles back.
I started following Abby’s blog a while back. That girls got some cajones. Right?! I’m so glad they found her. I haven’t checked the news on it in the past few days. Do you know if she’ll continue? I should hope so anyway.
PS– I have a bit of a bloggy crush on you
Don’t tell the hubs.
(No, I’m not a psycho. I just think you’re a cutie patootie!)
Not sure what to say to that one huh? I love it when I stump people and leave them speechless (you probably haven’t gotten to it yet, I know). BTW I’m officially adding you to my blogroll.
Haha…thanks for the comp, and adding me to your blogroll, (kissing hand)!
Abby’s parents said NO she will not continue (for now), don’t know if she will try again or not.
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