Sailor's dramatic survival: 20 hours adrift off Australian coast
A 30-year-old sailor fell overboard from the cargo ship "Double Delight," sailing under the Singapore flag. He spent 20 hours in the water and was found off the southeastern coast of Australia.
The incident occurred on the cargo ship "Double Delight" on Thursday. The man was last seen on the ship's deck at that time. The search commenced immediately after the crew realised that one of their members was missing.
On Friday, the New South Wales rescue services received a report from a fisherman who discovered a man drifting about 2 kilometres from the shore while fishing. The sailor called for help and waved 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, a spokeswoman from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority informed.
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 favour. The man was taken to 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 message about the sailor who had fallen 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 Defence 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.
