Sailor who fell from cargo ship found safe after almost 24 hours at sea
By Nigel Gladstone
A man who fell from a cargo ship survived nearly 24 hours at sea before being rescued about three kilometres off a beach south of Newcastle.
The man went overboard about 11.30pm on Thursday, eight kilometres off the Newcastle coast, and was rescued by a recreational fisherman who saw him waving his arms about 6.20pm on Friday near Blacksmiths Beach, close to Swansea.
The man was found floating off the NSW coast.Credit: Nine
Initial reports suggested the man had swum eight kilometres to shore, but this was later clarified as him being found floating off Blacksmiths Beach.
The Newcastle Harbourmaster notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a crew member from the bulk carrier Double Delight had gone overboard at 11am on Friday.
Two helicopters and two boats searched for the man.
A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said they were called to Boatrowers Reserve at Blacksmiths Beach near Swansea after reports that a man had been found in the water.
“The patient, a man in his 20s, reportedly was in the water for about 24 hours,” the spokeswoman said. “He was wearing a lifejacket, he was conscious, he was able to communicate with us, [but] he was very cold [and] absolutely exhausted,” she said.
“Being in his 20s probably helped him quite a bit. He wasn’t really complaining a lot; he was just relieved.”
The man was treated at the scene by paramedics for suspected hypothermia and dehydration before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
NSW Police are not investigating the matter as it had been referred to Border Force.
The Australian Border Force said it “does not comment on individual matters”.
The Double Delight is a 235-metre-long Singaporean-based bulk carrier that left Japan’s west coast on October 19 and was moored on Saturday at Newcastle.
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clarification
Earlier reports suggested the man swam eight kilometres to shore, but this was later clarified as him being found floating off Blacksmiths Beach. Additionally, the ambulance service initially said he was in his 30s but later clarified that he was in his 20s.