Rescuers honoured after finding sailor adrift near Darwin

Three maritime workers who rescued a 75-year-old sailor after a month at sea have received Distinguished Lifesaving Awards in Darwin. Digby Campbell had been sailing the trimaran Singapore Sling from Dili to Darwin when rough seas damaged the vessel’s outboard motor, mast fittings, sails, tablet and phone. A journey expected to take six days became a four-week ordeal.

Campbell was found drifting in Darwin Harbour, sunburnt, dehydrated and disoriented. He had been standing at the helm for about a day and a half and had not eaten for three days. Maritime officer Christopher Cridland, launch master Rawson McCrae and crew member Joshua Witkin approached the boat after deciding that it looked as though it required a welfare check.

Witkin said Campbell answered that he was not really all right. McCrae recalled that the sailor’s ankles were severely swollen. The group helped him to shore and into an ambulance.

Campbell said a large outboard broke part of its bracket after he left Dili, while a chain plate failed and the rigging was damaged. A wave then took his tablet and phone. He said returning to Dili was not practical, partly because he had been asked to transport two French backpackers and a bicycle, even though the boat was not equipped for them.

Australian Border Force personnel supplied equipment and radio support, and Campbell received a welfare check from a Royal Australian Navy vessel. By the time he neared Darwin, he had one beer and two cans of Red Bull left. He drank the beer when he saw what he believed were Darwin’s lights.

Cridland said the boat was moving at about 1.5 knots and could have taken another two days to reach harbour. McCrae later discovered he had sailed the same trimaran as a child. The vessel is being prepared for a future journey to New Zealand.