Boat Carrying 4 Australian Surfers and 3 Indonesian Crew Missing; Search Efforts Underway
Search efforts are underway after a boat carrying four Australian surfers and three Indonesian crew went missing during a crossing between Nias and Pinang island in the late afternoon of August 13.
The four surfers — Steph Weisse, Jordan Short, Elliot Foote and Will Teagle — departed Nias alongside another boat carrying the rest of their friends. Both boats encountered severe weather during the crossing, but only one made it to the final destination in Pinang.
Weisse's family took to Instagram to ask for positive thoughts for a safe return:
"I know that when we find you Steph, we will laugh at the picture the news chose to share of you. Tonight I sat under the stars in Karijini as I witnessed a meteor shower, I PRAYED on every shooting star I get to wake up and hear your kak tomorrow.
"We both believe in the power of positive energy, so if every single person who sees this post could PLEASE please please vision Steph and the boys safe on an island somewhere, just hiding out from the storm, I don’t doubt they won’t feel it. My heart is killing right now, but I have so much faith you are just floating on a surf board, looking at the same stars. If anyone can survive being stuck at sea, I know it’s you."
According to the Daily Mail: "Apparently the waves weren't that problematic. It was just the visibility in the storm.
"'We're all hoping they've either run out of fuel or they got lost and missed the island or more likely there may be an engine failure on the boat, which unfortunately doesn't have any GPS.'
"Local authorities said the missing boat departed Nias Island at about 3pm on Sunday and was last seen at about 6pm.
"The boat carrying the remaining eight Australians arrived on Pinang Island at 10.18pm.
"Poor conditions have so far hindered the search and rescue mission for the Aussies and Indonesians, which include the boat owner and two mechanics.
"Parties organised by the Pinang resort and Indonesian National Search and Rescue agency launched at about 6am on Monday.
"Nias Island chief Octavianto said more than 20 police, military and volunteers are searching the sea.
And, according to this recent post on Stab: “A new Aussie skipper just came ashore to review maps, wind, tides and swell directions,” friends on the Banyak Islands told Stab. “Grant Richardson captain of the Sea Mi Amor has taken off to search this area 20mins ago which will take 3 hrs to get there. They will not be returning until the boys and Steph have been found. Boats already on route to the new location include: pulse and dream. Other boats that have not responded are seriti, star cota II, jiwa, and surf camp assistance. UHF channel 16.”
Anyone in Indonesia that might have any information, direct contact information is below:
+61431181760 on WhatsApp or @mutch_ @bennycradock @jimmstagram_ via Instagram.
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