MSC cargo ship collects surfer who spent 16 hours adrift off Bulli Beach
Dramatic pictures have captured the moment while a stricken Japanese surfer was pulled to safety, after spending the night drifting six kilometres off the coast of Bulli.
Crew aboard an MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) vessel spotted the man adrift 9am Sunday – 16 hours after he set out from Bulli Beach.
They informed Port Kembla Harbour Control of the discovery before dispatching a lifebuoy over the side of the 300 metre-long container ship.
The man was given dry clothes and food, and was wrapped in blankets until a pilot vessel from Port Kembla brought him ashore, said Kevin Clarke, MSC Australia managing director.
“This was, by all accounts, a dramatic rescue which appears to have enabled the man to walk free from his ordeal completely unscathed,” Mr Clarke said.
“Naturally, our crew are always being observant of marine traffic, but it is exceptionally fortunate they were able to spot this man waving for help from his surf board.”
“News of the rescue has made us all at MSC extremely proud of the crew and we are delighted that their quick-thinking actions resulted in the surfer being recovered so quickly.”
The 15-year-old MSC Damla was under the command of Captain Sandeep Singh, who has worked for the company since 2005.
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Source: MSC
