THE Australian Maritime Safety Authority has co-ordinated the rescue of a kayaker in the Indian Ocean with the help of a nearby bulk carrier.
The kayaker had encountered bad weather on a journey from Broome to Christmas Island.
AMSA said its response centre received a distress notification at around 1900 on Friday night. It then established communication via satellite phone with the kayaker, who was around 630 kilometres south-east of Christmas Island.
“The kayaker requested assistance as he was taking on water due to the sea conditions and was unable to pump it out as his bilge pump was broken,” AMSA said in a statement.
AMSA’s Perth-based Challenger rescue aircraft was dispatched to the scene and made contact with the kayaker.
AMSA said merchant shipping in the area was also diverted to provide support while the rescue aircraft maintained contact with the kayaker.
The aircraft helped Singapore-flagged bulk carrier Haizhu Flourish locate the vessel. The ship dispatched a rescue boat just after daybreak and brought the kayaker on board.
“AMSA sincerely thanks the crew of the Haizhu Flourish for their assistance with this rescue,” AMSA said.
The maritime authority said it understands the man is now safe and well.
