Qantas A380 to search for missing sailor
A Qantas A380 will join in the search today for a 16-year-old girl, attempting to sail around the world solo, whose emergency beacons began signalling in the southern Indian Ocean.
Family spokesman Christian Pinkston says rescuers began searching for Abby Sunderland today somewhere between Africa and Australia. He says beacons were manually activated overnight and there has been a loss of communication.
A message from Team Abby on her blog says her boat was having engine problems after a rough day of 60-knot winds and seas of 20-25 feet.
"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)," Team Abby wrote.
Abby set sail from Los Angeles County's Marina del Rey on January 23 in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone without stopping. Australian teen Jessica Watson achieved this feat when she sailed in to Sydney harbour on the 15th of May after her solo, unassisted round-the-world trip.
Abby ran into equipment problems soon after setting sail and had to stop for repairs. She gave up the goal of setting the record in April, but continued on.
Her website says she left Cape Town, South Africa, on May 21 and on Tuesday reached the halfway point of her goal.
Source AAP