Twist in miracle survival of Sailor who swam for 19 hours after falling off a cargo ship as three items are found strapped to his body.
Sailor survives 19 hours in open Ocean
A young sailor’s remarkable survival story has emerged after he spent 19 hours swimming alone in the ocean. The man, in his 20s, reportedly fell overboard from the *Double Delight*, a cargo ship, about 8 km off the coast of Newcastle, Australia.
Sailor Fishermen spot survivor in water
The man was first seen by two fishermen, including Glen Valaire, a doctor, who found him around 5 km offshore on Friday afternoon. Dr. Valaire described it as “an absolute miracle” to come across him.
‘My friend said to me ”Glen, Glen, there’s someone in the water” it was just an absolute miracle that we came across this guy,’ Dr Valaire told Nine News.
‘He was so fatigued he had to lay down in the back of the boat, he was freezing cold, had a weak pulse, super pale and we were concerned for him,’ he said.
Dr. Valaire treated the man on board, who was fatigued, extremely cold, and had a weak pulse. The fisherman and his friend quickly headed to shore, where paramedics met them at Boatrowers Reserve, Swansea.
“Rescuers saved the sailor with essential survival items
Upon reaching shore, the police discovered that the sailor had a sealed plastic bag strapped to him. Inside were his wallet, ID, and a pack of cigarettes, all intact, which aided authorities in identifying him. The sailor, a Vietnamese national, is now under investigation by Border Force to determine the circumstances of his fall.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) began an extensive air and sea search on Friday, deploying rescue helicopters and calling on NSW Water Police, Marine Rescue NSW units, and additional vessels.
The young sailor feels ‘absolutely exhausted’ but remains conscious
Paramedic Erin Laughton commended the man’s resilience, explaining that his youth likely helped him endure the ordeal. “He was hypothermic and exhausted, but conscious and able to communicate,” she said. His survival is especially remarkable, considering the hypothermic conditions he faced.
The rescue team transported the sailor to John Hunter Hospital, where doctors are treating him for hypothermia and dehydration.
He remains in stable condition as of Saturday.
The Double Delight, a 235-meter cargo carrier, had departed Japan’s west coast near South Korea on October 19. How the sailor ended up overboard remains under investigation.