Bulk Carrier Aids Rescue of Injured Solo Sailor

A bulk carrier assisted in the rescue of an injured mariner sailing solo off the coast of Australia.

After receiving a distress beacon from a 10-meter yacht with a 70-year-old solo crew member located 167 kilometers east of Double Island Point, Qld., the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) diverted the Malta-flagged merchant vessel Skiathos to the yacht's location.

The 229-meter-long Skiathos found the yacht and brought the vessel alongside.

AMSA tasked the Melbourne-based Challenger jet and a Brisbane-based CHC helicopter to attend the scene, however due to the sailor’s injuries, he was unable to be safely removed from his yacht before night fall.

A Queensland Police vessel from Mooloolaba went to the scene and transported the sailor back to land for medical treatment.