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The skipper who led the rescue of four Australian surfers who were stranded off the Indonesian coast for two nights after their boat sank has revealed the extraordinary measures they took to survive.
Elliot Foote, his girlfriend Steph Weisse and his friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short were left adrift in the waters off the Indonesian island of Sumatra after their wooden rowboat ran into rough conditions on Sunday night.
The four were on holiday in Indonesia with eight other friends to celebrate Mr Foote’s 30th birthday.
The four Australians and two of their Indonesian crew spent 36 hours in the middle of the ocean until help finally arrived on Tuesday morning.
They were floating on surfboards in open water when rescuers finally arrived.
Grant Richardson, an Australian who led the rescue operation, revealed the group drank rainwater on their hair to survive the harsh conditions.
Grant Richardson, an Australian who led the rescue operation, revealed the group drank rainwater on their hair to survive the harsh conditions.
Australian surfers Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short (pictured, left to right) spent 36 hours lost at sea before they were finally rescued
“They drank water on their hair when it rained, so it was pretty lucky,” Mr Richardson said A topical matter.
“The rain gave them some food and they were smart enough to say, ‘Guys, we just gotta keep drinking as much as we can while it’s raining’.”
The group may also attribute their survival to their quick thinking when it became clear that the boat was sinking.
“They got hit on the side of the boat several times by waves, the boat started flooding and they were smart enough to say, ‘OK, guys, let’s quickly start gathering gear, in case we finish. through the water,” Mr. Richardson said.
“They grabbed surfboards, they grabbed wetsuits, reckless tops, they were smart thinkers. Many people in this situation don’t think on their feet.
Meanwhile, the Australians are heartbroken that their Indonesian guide Fifan has not yet been found four days later.
Australian surfer boat guide Fifan (pictured) is still missing, four days after the boat capsized
The group had traveled to Indonesia to celebrate Mr Foote’s birthday (pictured, Mr Foote and Ms Weisse)
“My deepest thoughts are with Fifan’s family. Our happy young guide who has not been found,” Mr Foote said on Thursday.
“I wish we could have done more to help you, and it will remain with me as a burden to bear.”
“I understand the loneliness you must have felt during those hours, and my condolences to your family.”
The incredible moment Steph, Will and Jordan, along with two boat crews were found floating on surfboards, was caught on camera, with the group cheering as their rescuers closed in on the group.
Mr Foote was not seen in the footage, who had swum to paddle to land and was found 5km from the group hours later.
Elliot Foote suffered sunburn and rashes after spending 36 hours at sea
The search began when their boat which was traveling from remote Banyak Island failed to reach its final destination on Pinang Island on Sunday evening.
The four surfers and their crew had chosen to ride out the bad weather on Sunday evening while a group of eight of their friends took refuge on Saran Alu.
Mr Foote went on to say the experience was ‘something I can’t fathom’.
“My emotions are incredibly mixed; elation, guilt, total adrenaline, anxiety, pure joy and bliss,” he said.
“From the moment the boat sank until the moment we were reunited on Pinang Island, uncertainty was the only certainty.
“I didn’t know if my eight friends had arrived on the island on Sunday evening before us, if my girlfriend Steph, Will and Jordan had been found and rescued before me, or if I should go out and find them. ‘
Elliot Foote thanked everyone involved in the search
Mr Foote’s thoughts are with the family of Fifan (pictured), the group’s cheerful guide who has not been found
Mr. Foote took the time to thank those who supported the frantic search.
“To all my friends, family and the global community who reached out to me. To show love, check in on my well-being and get a sense of what happened. Thank you, it means so much to me,” he said.
“I am truly moved and filled with love and gratitude for life.
Mr Foote also paid tribute to the “Pinang 12” who were in Indonesia with him to celebrate his birthday.
“What a bunch of absolute weapons,” he continued.
“Everyone played their part in the rescue efforts, the negotiations, no one stopped until their friends were found and the search for Fifan continued.
‘The ‘lucky four’. True courage and determination in a life or death situation, paddling for hours on end with nothing but a hunch. I love you.’
This is the incredible moment Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short and an Indonesian crew member were found after 36 hours lost at sea
Mr Foote was pictured drinking a beer after being rescued from Indonesian waters where he survived by floating on a surfboard