Heartbreaking reason crew members of stricken surfers’ boat were left behind

A crew member of the boat carrying four Aussie surfers which had to be abandoned at sea has opened up about a heartbreaking decision.

The four Australian surfers, stranded at sea for almost two days, made a heartbreaking decision while marooned in the Indian Ocean which led them to become separated from the three Indonesians who were also on board the stricken boat.

While two of the Indonesians were rescued, one, Fifan Satrio, has yet to be found.

The search continues for Mr Satrio with the saved Australians stating they are “hoping for the best for him”.

Mr Foote along with girlfriend Steph Weisse and friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short boarded a wooden longboat on the Banyak Islands, off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, on Sunday night.

The four rescued Australians that were lost at sea off Aceh after their boat went down in rough weather: (L-R) Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short.

The boat, which was crewed by Mr Satrio and Mohammed Iqbal, was also carrying Junardi Akhmad, the manager of the Pinang Island resort to which the tourists were headed.

Mr Satrio was not due to be on the boat which would normally have been helmed by his father Muhammad Musa. However, the experienced captain had fallen ill so his son jumped in to help.

The boat ran into trouble when a storm hit.

The group had time to grab surfboards, water and other essentials to give them the best chance of survival in the water.

They then spent around 36 hours in the sea using surfboards as flotation devices.

Fifan Satrio is still missing

Mr Iqbal is currently recovering in his village, in Indonesia’s Aceh province, hooked up to an IV drip, his body covered in painful welts.

He revealed that the Australians, who were all experienced surfers, chose to paddle off in the hope of finding help.

The crew stayed behind to look after Mr Satrio, who was not a strong swimmer.

“The foreigners paddled very quickly but we couldn’t keep up and we had to look after Fifan,” Mr Iqbal told The Australian.

Elliot Foote (top right) seen during his rescue.

Elliot Foote and Steph Weisse who were both rescued. Picture: Instagram.

Mr Foote ended up striking out even further on his own and was found 5 km away from the rest of the group in an attempt get to land.

“I tried to give Fifan a lot of encouragement. I reminded him to tie his surfboard to his body so whatever happened – if he felt dizzy or passed out – he would not sink to the sea,” Mr Iqbal said.

“I told him if he didn’t do that and he passed out, he might not be found.”

It was the remaining three Australians and two of the Indonesians who were found first.

The surfers, who suffered only minor injuries in their ordeal, have continued their holiday on Pinang Island.

On Thursday, Mr Foote took to social media to share his concerns for Mr Satrio.

“My deepest thoughts are with the family of Fifan. Our joyful young guide who hasn’t been found,” he said on social media on Thursday.

“I wish there was more we could have done to help you, and that will stay with me as a burden to bear.

“He’s still out there; it’s hard to think about and we just hope the best for him and his family and friends in his village.”

Mohammad Iqbal hooked up to an IV drip in his village: Amanda Hodge.

An online fundraising drive by the family of Mr Satrio has raised $22,000, partly due to a donation from the Foote family.

The damaged boat has been recovered. It was drifting south of the Banyak islands.

Mr Satrio’s mother, Erlisda, has urged the authorities to keep searching.

“Please look for my son. Keep looking for him and put him in my arms,” she pleaded..

“You should all be out there looking. Everyone else is found. The boat is found.”