The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has successfully coordinated a complex search and rescue (SAR) operation approximately 1,000 kilometres east-south-east of Christmas Island on Sunday, September 6.
A solo Canadian sailor travelling from Darwin to Christmas Island failed to make two scheduled calls to family in Canada, prompting his brother to alert AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia.
AMSA promptly tasked its dedicated rescue jet to search a vast and remote area of the Indian Ocean. Using satellite positional information, the crew successfully located the sailor’s partially submerged catamaran and found the sailor nearby in the vessel’s tender.
The rescue jet dropped life-saving supplies, including a life raft, emergency beacon, communication equipment, food and water for the sailor.
The Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel HMAS Supply supported the SAR operation, repositioning to assist and tasking its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which successfully retrieved the sailor and brought him safely aboard.
"This operation demonstrates Australia's ability to coordinate a rapid and effective response across one of the world's largest search and rescue regions," said Alex Barrell, AMSA Executive Director Response and Capability.
“From the initial alert raised by family members overseas through to the deployment of AMSA’s rescue jet and support from HMAS Supply and its embarked helicopter, multiple agencies worked together to achieve a successful outcome.
"This incident also highlights how quickly circumstances can change and deteriorate offshore and the importance of being prepared before heading to sea. Having reliable communications and a trusted person ashore who knows when to raise the alarm can make all the difference."