Queensland couple soon to be stuck at sea with nowhere to go

A southeast Queensland couple in their 60s fear being stranded at sea with minimal supplies as countries around the globe start to shut their borders in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.

A couple from Scarborough fear being left out at sea with minimal supplies and no way of returning home as countries around the world start to close their borders to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Nikki and Frank Keller have been sailing the world aboard their 12m yacht for the past six years.

When the coronavirus situation started to escalate the couple started to look at ways to return home.

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“We felt our safest option was to stay within the self isolation of our yacht and to sail it back home to Brisbane as winds and opportunity would allow,” Mrs Keller said.

They left India on March 17, heading towards Australia – the fastest way possible.

“We were aware that we would be making this journey the wrong time of the year against the prevailing winds or with no wind for part of the way but felt it was the smartest move at the time,” Mrs Keller said.

Nikki and Frank Keller in Thailand, before they became stranded in the Maldives on their yacht.

“We planned to head to the Maldives and perhaps Christmas Island and on to Darwin, but allowing ourselves the option of detouring via Malaysia or Indonesia if the sailing conditions became too difficult so we could find a safe place to leave the boat and fly home.”

A blocked fuel line slowed their passage to the Maldives. Hours before they arrived the border was closed on March 20.

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“Luckily, we were able to contact the Australian Embassy in Sri Lanka (that deals with the Maldives,) and they intervened to help us to get permission to stay,” Mrs Keller said.

The couple are now five days in to the mandated 14 day quarantine period, at anchor off Uligan.

“The authorities here were aware of our plans to sail on to Australia once we could see that there was sufficient wind and we had also asked to refuel as we had seen other boats doing the same and felt this was a smart move, not knowing what could happen at this volatile time,” Mrs Keller said.

“However, yesterday they radioed us to inform us that since we were in quarantine, if we refuelled as requested, we would be required to leave the Maldives straight away.

“They also informed us that they would refuel us after the quarantine period when we would be made to leave.”

Frank and Nikki Keller's yacht at sea.

Mrs Keller said this came as a “great shock”.

“We were under the impression that once we had completed the quarantine, and thus cleared with good health, and if no risk, that we could be granted a permit to stay like all the other boats here,” she said.

Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are now in lockdowns – meaning Mr and Mrs Keller would not be able to sail through their waters.

“We cannot return to India, which we would have considered with our five-year visa and is only 250 miles away, but it is in lockdown too and we can’t even continue on to any other country nearby as they are all closed,” Mrs Keller said.

“We have been watching the weather and see that there is no wind at all with which to sail south east from the Maldives, and it is over 2,160 nautical miles to Christmas Island, which is the closest Australian destination. We can only motor in these conditions for a maximum of 1200 miles with the diesel we carry.

Anita Farine and Frank and Nikki Keller with their unnamed yacht they sailed back from American Samoa in 2010.

“We have also discovered that we must apply for an exemption permit to enter the Indian Ocean Territories where Christmas Island is, due to COVID-19.

“To enter Darwin we must also fill out application forms as it does not have regulatory compliance to facilitate arrival of international yachts.”

Mrs Keller said it would take 4-6 weeks to sail to Australia.

“Heading south to Christmas Island and on to Darwin, we would be entering a cyclone prone area,” she said.

“Even if we manage to reach Darwin before the contrary winds from Christmas Island onwards, become much stronger from April/May onwards, we would be unable to return to our family who are in Brisbane.”

Mrs Keller said they were so desperate to get back as their daughter-in-law is due to give birth soon.

“I am devastated that it now looks like we will be unable to be there to help our family through the birth,” she said.

Mrs Keller said it would be “foolish” to venture away from the safety of the Maldives – but needs to find a safe place to anchor.

“We would be grateful of any intervention that would prevent the Maldivian authorities sending us away after our quarantine period is over, as we feel we have nowhere safe to sail,” she said.

“How could they possibly just push us away knowing that we do not where to go?

“Please help us.”