Four Indonesian fishermen were recovered from a makeshift life raft this morning, after eight days adrift in remote waters of the Timor Sea. The rescue of the fishermen was coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), with support from the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Defence Force and an Australian fishing vessel. All survivors have been medically assessed and are in good health. The fishermen will be repatriated to their home port of Kupang, Indonesia. The raft was initiall y sighted by an ABF Dash 8 aircraft on the evening of Tuesday 12 January.
Subsequently AMSA arranged for sequential ABF aircraft to provide “top cover”, remaining overhead while a request for assistance was made to a nearby Australian fishing vessel , AFV Exodus , to respond and reach the scene. Exodus recover ed the four Indonesian fishermen in the early hours of this morning. Further support was then provided with the arrival of a Royal Australian Navy vessel, HMAS Maitland . AMSA Search and Rescue General Manager John Young expressed special thanks to the master and crew of AFV Exodus. “ The AFV Exodus crew ceased normal fishing operations immediately to provide support. The contributions of seafarers to search and rescue efforts like this one are in the best maritime tradition and vital in assisting AMSA to save lives at sea,” Mr Young said.