Teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland sparked a desperate overnight search mission in the Indian Ocean last night after setting of 2 emergency beacons.
It is believed that Abby was talking to her parents via satellite phone when they lost signal, they reported on her blog that should had been suffering difficulties and had experienced repeated knock downs with winds up to 60knots and 50 foot waves. Her position was believed to be about 2,000 miles of the coast of Madagascar.
Abby's parents said
"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 up. We were waiting to hear back from her when American search and rescue authorities called to report having received a signal from her emergency beacon," they said. "We are working closely with American, French and Australian search and rescue authorities to coordinate several ships in the area to divert to her location."
Despite these efforts it is believed that the closest ship was still some 2 days away, however last night Abby's parents posted this update on her web site
'ABBY IS FINE!
We have just heard from the Australian Search and Rescue. The plane arrived on the scene moments ago. Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!
We don't know much else right now. The French fishing vessel that was diverted to her location will be there in a little over 24 hours. Where they will take her or how long it will take we don't know.
More updates as news comes in.
Laurence & Marianne'
The 16 year old Sunderland from California is the latest of a stream of teenage sailors vying for the title of youngest person to sail solo around the world. She had hoped initially to do the journey non stop but was forced into port in South Africa to repairs to her autopilot. Her Brother Zac Sunderland claimed the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world last year (a record which was then broken by British teenager Mike Perham).
I'm sure this scare for Abby all though fortunately it looks to have a happy ending will only heighten the debate surrounding this new craze to be the youngest ever person to sail around the world which has been met by much criticism from many well respected persons and governing bodies.
We wish Abby a safe return to shore.
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