Four Australians and Two Indonesians Rescued After Being Stranded at Sea for 38 Hours

Four Australian tourists and two Indonesian crew members were rescued after being stranded in the waters off Indonesia’s Aceh province for 38 hours, officials said Tuesday. The rescue of the four surfers and two crew members sparked joyous scenes captured in a dramatic video.

Peter Foote, the father of one of the Australians on board, Elliot Foote, said he finally received a text message from his son saying he was alive and well after he and his party went missing at sea. He told the media Elliot had traveled to Indonesia to celebrate his 30th birthday with friends.

The wooden speedboat carrying the four Australians and three Indonesian crew members ran into bad weather on Sunday. Peter Foote said he read out a message from his son following the rescue that reads, “Hey Dad, Elliot Here. They were all just bobbing around on their surfboards.”

The rescue of the four surfers and two crew members was a cause for celebration, with the head of the local rescue agency saying they were all safe and well. However, one Indonesian crew member is still missing.

The rescue of the four Australians and two Indonesians is a reminder of the importance of safety at sea, and the joy of reuniting with loved ones. Peter Foote said he was relieved to hear from his son and thankful for the efforts of the rescue team.