Sea Rescue

9 lives saved - Digicel phone helps track drifting boat in Vanuatu

Vanuatu Police and Ports and Harbour staff sought Digicel Vanuatu’s assistance to track the boat which had left Santo for Malekula last week but failed to reach its destination on time. One passenger who had a Digicel number used it to call the Police and the Ports and Harbour in Santo for help as they were not able to see the Island.

Digicel’s Network Operation Centre Team in Suva managed to track the location of the mobile phone and alerted authorities who managed to find the boat and towed it to Santo.

There were 8 adults and 1 child on board.

Japanese man rescued after night at sea on surfboard

The 37-year-old told police a current had pulled him out to sea off Bulli Beach, 80km (50 miles) south of Sydney on Thursday evening.

Sailors on the MSC Damla spotted him floating about 6km offshore and pulled him on board using a lifebuoy.

They gave him food, drink and warm clothing and contacted the authorities.

A pilot vessel from Port Kembla returned him to shore. He was taken to hospital but discharged shortly afterwards.

The man was in "remarkably good spirits", MSC Australia's managing director Kevin Clarke said.