Merged: Qantas Airbus On Indian Ocean Rescue Mission.
 

From today's 'Perth Now' News site,
Link -
Solo sailor Abby Sunderland out of contact, distress signal activated | Perth Now
(Copy and paste method)

A QANTAS Airbus - A380? - has been chartered by AMSA to go and look for a yacht in distress the Indian Ocean.
Reportedly, the 'A-380' refuelled at Perth this morning prior to departing to the search area in the direction of Reunion to look for Solo sailor Miss Abby Sunderland, attempting a 'round the world' record for her age group, reported as 16 year old.

Besides the obvious thoughts re the teenager etc., is this the first A-380 to pass thru Perth?

And, just for the record, I do hope they sight her OK. The nearest vessel reportedly, is a French fishing boat still some 32 hours away as at 0930 Perth time this morning, Friday 11th. (110130Z)

Qantas A380 to search for missing sailor
 

I think they mean an A330!

Yep I think so too and the live streaming on ninemsn earlier showed an A330 being loaded with paramedics and SAR crew.

If it was an A380 that would be a hell of alot of spotters!!

Thank heavens they have paramedics on boad as they can help with any injuries she might have??????????
Ok sorry for the smart comment, but what can they really do? :uhoh:

They are suggesting she may have a serviceable marine radio in her survival gear - if she has injuries and a first aid kit, they may be able to radio some advice.....

just a guess.

I'm guessing in this sort of case they just want to get something there ASAP to get an idea of what they are dealing with by getting a 'visual' on the situation due to the no comms.

Obviously due location the P3 or C-130 is going to take a lot longer, and have less loiter time than a A330, esp if it's a 200.

Big diff to how they will handle it if she's on the water alive or no where to be seen.

Certainly a very different flight for the crew !

Absolutely not. A QF Dugong flew up and down the mighty Swan River in Oct 08 waving the flag whilst over here from The East on a famil. :ok:

She's been found safe.................end of story.:ok:

next things QF will send the bill to the parents

There is SEARCH and there is RESCUE.

AMSA knew where she was by EPIRB GPS position.

QF fly to position to check status and establish comms.

The RESCUE comes next.

Vessel is serviceable (mast is up), she is conscious, what is the actual problem then?

Yup.

Indeed. Alot of people waiting for the confirmation she was ok. This was a big thing for the parents.

- Icarus methinks you are being a bit to literal or is there some sort of anti red rat point to your post

Skystar, QF will send the bill to AMSA, who chartered the A/C.

Icarus, the SMH is reporting the boat is dismasted.

Search or rescue or both. How else can I be OTHER than literal?

No not at all. Is that a chip I see on your shoulder?

Well done to QF for getting involved in this. Please let us see it for what it really is. A commercial arrangement between a government agency (AMSA) and QF. They will be paid an agreed rate for the aircraft and crew and will not lose any money. If military assets were available under DACC then I am sure they would have been used. (P3?)

This is not big business helping out a struggling young sailor from the goodness of their corporate heart. It is the Australian taxpayer paying QF to do a job for them using one of their assets. (All for that in case you wondered)

Glad to hear Abigail is all well. Now, if I ran Qantas I would also milk it for all the PR it is worth and be contacting her parents and offering to fly them anywhere on the network to reunite them with their daughter. Preferably standing in front of a Qantas PR banner.

Call me cynical but THAT is how it works. If you don't believe me then YOU are naive.

EDIT TO REPLY TO KREMIN: Thanks. That makes more sense now. Radio report I heard said the yacht was all intact, perhaps I took it TOO LITERALLY and they meant the hull is intact.

One does wonder where the P3's were? I thought there was always a crew on SAR standby. Surely a P3 would have been able to drop supplies-spare raft if necessary.:confused:

The bill should go to the stupid parents!! But no the Australian tax payer will foot it like most rescues caused by people being stupid...

No - the one you see is on yours (hence my post). :rolleyes:

Mr Sheen - one could argue that ANYONE rescued from an ocean didn't necessarily have to be there. People chose to travel in yachts around the world knowing the dangers, and our own industry ferries and flies aircraft across oceans all the time, each and every one of them COULD need to be rescued.

In the last few years Australians like Ray Clamback have been rescued and the bill footed by the USA each time, he 'chose' to be there but do we critise the aircraft ferry industry?

AMSA exists for a reason - ANY human in danger deserves to be rescued, and nearly every country with an ocean has a commitment to save people in their SAR region. AMSA spends millions on 'training' exercises etc year round - surely we don't get picky about assisting in picking up a REAL life human in danger.

One day we might have an ETOPS airliner out there bobbing in the ocean do we leave them to rot as well because it will cost some $$ ?

ABC radio reported her position as 2000nm west of the West Australian coast.Sounds like a bit far out for the old P3.

I wonder how the were able to procure an airframe and crew. Not like they have spare airframes and divers sitting around.till

Still, it would have been a bit of an interesting exercise for the crew, something a little different from the normal line flying.