Sailor survives 20‑hour ordeal in ocean near Australia
A 30-year-old sailor fell overboard from the cargo ship "Double Delight," sailing under the Singapore flag, and spent 20 hours in the water. He was ultimately found off the southeastern coast of Australia.
8:22 AM EST, November 10, 2024
The incident occurred on the cargo ship "Double Delight" on Thursday. It was then that the man was last seen on the ship's deck. The search began as soon as the crew realized that one of the members was missing.
On Friday, New South Wales rescue services received a report from a fisherman who discovered a man drifting about 2 miles from shore while fishing. The sailor was calling for help and waving his hand.
He was wearing a life jacket, he was conscious, he was able to communicate with us, he was very cold, he was hypothermic and exhausted, said a spokeswoman from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
NSW Ambulance paramedic Erin Laughton told the "Daily Mail" that finding the man safe and sound after spending so long in the water is extraordinary. She added that his young age worked in his favor. The man was taken to the hospital with symptoms of hypothermia and dehydration. Authorities are now investigating whether the man deliberately jumped overboard or if it was an accident.
Authorities are trying to determine why the man was in the water
After the rescue services received the report about the sailor who fell into the water, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) initiated a search conducted both from the air and sea. A Westpac Rescue helicopter from Williamtown and a Defense helicopter from Belmont near Newcastle were dispatched to search the ocean.
Units from the NSW Water Police, Newcastle Marine Rescue, and a Water Police vessel from Port Stephens were also called for assistance. Fortunately, the story had a happy ending.
