Abby Sunderland
The story is still developing, but there are serious concerns for the 16 year old solo sailor.
Abby Sunderland Feared Lost at Sea
Abby Sunderland, 16, who is attempting to become the youngest sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe, was feared lost at sea today after her crew lost contact with her boat.
Jeff Casher, an engineer on Sunderland’s support team, said two emergency beacons on her boat are now signaling she is in trouble. Abby’s mother, MaryAnne Sunderland, told ABC News that Abby manually activated two beacons around 6 a.m. Pacific Time Thursday. A beacon designed to automatically go off when it contacts water had not been activated, she said.
Abby was in 20-25 foot waves at the time of last contact, with 35-knot winds, said MaryAnne Sunderland, who is due to give birth at the end of the month. She was shaken but focused on trying to get a rescue effort together.
The closest land to Abby’s boat was Reunion Island, which is east of Madagascar. The nearest ship was 400 miles away. Rescuers were trying to contact the ship.
Maybe the non-activation of the third EPIRB is good news and maybe they’ll be able to get in an airplane overflight in the next six to twelve hours or so when daylight returns to her location.
This is absolutely terrible news. It is something feared of course but that brings no comfort. Having raised three daughters I cannot imagine the parents pain. Hopefully that third EPIRB will be the life-saver. If I remeber correctly their is a French navy frigate stationed in the region. We wish Abby and family every ,
Good Watch.
The third EPIRB intended only to go off if the boat sinks has not been triggered, so that is very good news. The Australian Air Force is apparently planning a flyover at first light. The rescue craft won’t be in the area for another 48 hours, according to news reports. The AMVER system has also been activated. Let’s hope that merchant ships are close by.