Abby Sunderland - SoloRound

[sec906]

Abby had several knockdowns and was in 60 knot winds. Both EPIRBs were activated and satellite phone contact lost. Hoping for the best...

[TaoJones]

Two EPIRBs were indeed activated, manually, by Abby, but as Gord stated, her Class 1 EPIRB which is deployed automatically upon contact with water was not activated. That, I think, may be good news, as it seems to indicate that Abby is in trouble, but the boat is not sinking.

Given the horrendous conditions in which all this occurred, loss of communications is probably not unusual, and probably to be expected. The inability to hear Abby's voice must be excruciating for her family, but they know the sea well and, better than most probably, understand that when Abby can make contact, she will.

Be well, Abby, be well.

TaoJones

[Rearsteer]

God bless you Abby. Come home safe.

[SaltyMonkey]

Understand a water activated EPIRB onboard doesn't activate until under 15 ft of water. This might be the one referred to, or another one entirely.

[Astrid]

Abby's parents have updated her blog, and you can get a better idea of the situation on board at the time than what is covered in the news:

Abby's Blog

[speakeasy]

Hopefully, Abby and the boat are stable in whatever conditions with, perhaps a dismasting or the like. The worry for me, is that she could have been knocked off and activated the second Personal locator beacon in the water. Pray not. We all hope you are ok, youngster.

[Stillraining]

Ditto...A sickening feeling to be sure...Gods grace on you little one.

[babykinz]

The Associated Press: California teen girl in trouble on solo world sail


Not good =(

[Randy]

My feeling is that the boat is disabled. I think with it's watertight compartments it's still floating upright(may have lost the rig) hopefully she's ok (no broken bones or concussion)

[DeepFrz]

Maybe lost a keel? We will probably know in the next few hours.

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by Randy

My feeling is that the boat is disabled. I think with it's watertight compartments it's still floating upright(may have lost the rig) hopefully she's ok (no broken bones or concussion)

This is my thought and hope to Randy...I feel she may have got hit by a mean rouge shortly after or during her last phone conversation.

[SvenG]

From a SA post:

Airbus 320 made VHF radio contact with Abby she is in Boat...

Boat has been de masted and she is ok in good sprits......

-Sven

[dpex]

Originally Posted by SvenG

From a SA post:





-Sven

Please cite the exact url for this data.

[Intentional Drifter]

Blog entry confirms. Rig is down, but boat is floating and Abby is OK.

Thankfully.

Abby's Blog: Abby is Fine!

ID

[dpex]

Originally Posted by dpex

Please cite the exact url for this data.

Belay that. The main news services in NZ have confirmed she alive and well, but distmasted. Thank...pick one...for that.

Next q is, 'whats the next step?' I gather there are several ships within 40 hours of Abby. One presumes they will lift her off and leave the boat adrift.

That she is more or less safe is a huge relief.