AUSTRAL LEADER II RESCUES 22 FISHERMEN FROM LIFE RAFT IN INDIAN OCEAN
On the afternoon of the 9th April, skipper of the Austral Leader II, Craig Rowsell spotted smoke on the horizon some 8 miles from his position.
Weather was good and the light was fading but Craig went to investigate and found the boat was on fire and crew had abandoned ship to the relative safety of their liferaft. At about that time there was an explosion and the crew of the Austral Leader II held grave fears for the safety of those on board.
Fortunately all were well and taken aboard for some three hours whilst the vessel’s sister ship arrived to collect their colleagues.
The boat involved in the incident was the Jordan 3, a Taiwanese flagged, 35 metre fibreglass boat.
Fortunately it was a happy ending and of course, 22 men and their families can be thankful for the vigilance and professionalism of the captain and crew of the Austral Leader II.
Well done to all concerned.