Teenage sailor awaits rescue boat
Following a desperate emergency call then tense 20 hours of silence, a search plane launched from Australia's west coast made radio contact with Abby Sunderland whose family is in California. Her boat's mast was broken – ruining satellite phone reception – and was dragging with the sail in the ocean, said the Australia Maritime Safety Authority which chartered a commercial jet for the search. But the keel was intact, the yacht was not taking on water and Abby was equipped for the conditions.
A spokesman said: "The aircraft (crew) spoke to her. They told her help was on the way and she sounds like she's in good health. She's going to hang in there until a vessel can get to her," probably on Saturday, he said.
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Hide AdA lifelong sailor, Abby had begun her journey trying to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop around the world and continued her trip after mechanical failures dashed that dream.
Abby told searchers that she was doing fine with a heater and at least two weeks' food.