Skip to main content

After 26 Days at Sea, Missing Father and Daughter Arrive in Australia

A father and his 6-year-old daughter have arrived in Australia unharmed after 26 days at sea in a tiny catamaran.
The pair, who had departed from New Zealand’s North Island, had been the subject of an air and sea search by the New Zealand authorities since Dec. 26.
The New Zealand police said the man, Alan Langdon, contravened a family court order not to take the child from New Zealand.
Mr. Langdon, 49, and his daughter, Que, left Kawhia Harbor on North Island on Dec. 17. His plan was to sail north to the Bay of Islands, also on the North Island, for Christmas, according to the New Zealand police.
Col Chapman, a child recovery agent, said he was employed by Que’s mother, Ariane Wyler, to find her around Dec. 26.
He said the couple are estranged.
Mr. Langdon and Que arrived in the southern coastal port of Ulladulla in New South Wales, more than 1,300 miles from Kawhia Harbor, on Wednesday.
In an interview with ABC television news, Mr. Langdon said a broken rudder on the 21-foot-long boat had forced him to dramatically alter his course, and he ended up on Australia’s east coast. Ulladulla, a tiny coastal village, is about 140 miles south of Sydney.
“We didn’t have much fine weather, which I was hoping for to repair the rudder,” said Mr. Langdon, who was described by the police as an experienced sailor. “Once we were in a position with no rudder, we did not have as many options.”
He said that the boat was pushed south, and away from New Zealand, and that he did not realize sailing with one rudder was going to be so difficult. Mr. Langdon said that the pair had fresh water and that Que was safe.
“New Zealand police are carefully considering the circumstances and information relating to the arrival of Alan Langdon and his daughter,” the New Zealand police said in a statement.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Countries Accepting Nigerians Seeking Second Citizenship

  Countries Accepting Nigerians Seeking Second Citizenship Nigerians are able to access the following citizenship and immigration programs: The Caribbean Second Citizenship Programs, Caribbean nations like St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and Grenada offer second citizenship through their respective Citizenship-by-Investment programs. A holder of one of these passports may travel visa free to about 135 countries, including all European Union countries, the UK, Russia, Turkey, Singapore and Hong Kong. Holding a citizenship from one of these respected countries may also make it easier to obtain residency status or study in other countries, and allows political security and makes it easier to open bank accounts in foreign jurisdictions. To qualify, an applicant needs to be of good reputation and make a government donation of at least $100,000 USD after approval of their citizenship application.  Approval of a Citizenship-by-Investment application normally takes about 3 months, a...

EXCLUSIVE BREAST MILK IS THE BEST ONDO FIRST LADY TELLS NURSING MOTHERS AT BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATION

    Government Stresses Importance of Breast milk for Children as  Ondo State Celebrates Commencement of World Breastfeeding  Week   . ....525 nursing mothers breastfeed children. Ondo State on Friday joined the rest of Nigeria and the International Community in the celebration of 2024 World Breastfeeding Week. In a message to the event, held at the International Event Centre,  The Dome, in Akure, the First Lady, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa emphasized the critical importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. The wife of the Governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, reiterated that workplaces in the state are being adapted to support nursing mothers, highlighting the state's commitment to providing conducive environments for breastfeeding. She noted that Ondo State places significant priority on maternity leave for nursing ...

INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRY CELEBRATES PASTOR BABALOLA FOR TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP

Ministry Celebrates Pastor Babalola for Transformative Leadership  The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has honored Pastor Joseph Ayoade Babalola, the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, for his exceptional leadership, character, and contributions during his tenure. The event, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, was attended by top government officials and staff, who described Pastor Babalola as a visionary leader, a mentor, and a team player who exemplified humility and a strong work ethic. Speaking at the ceremony, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry, Engineer Akinluyi Omotola, emphasized the need to celebrate Babalola’s legacy, which, according to him, left an indelible mark on the Ministry. “Pastor Babalola brought a new dimension to leadership during his short but impactful tenure. He fostered unity, love, and inclusion, ensuring that no officer was sidelined or marginalized. His humility, openness, and respect fo...