Japanese surfer rescued after floating in the Pacific for 16 hours

A surfer was forced to spend 16 hours clinging to his board after being overpowered by a strong current miles from the shore. The man, believed to be a Japanese tourist, had been surfing at Bulli Beach, about 50 miles south of Sydney, Australia. The 37-year-old was caught up in the current and pulled out to sea, spending the night drifting further into the Pacific Ocean. The crew of a passing vessel, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Damla, spotted the exhausted surfer waving frantically for their attention. They battled against choppy conditions to launch a lifebuoy from the ship.

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 surfboard.

Mediterranean Shipping Company