SA surfer overboard

Apparently a massive manhunt is underway to find Brett Archibald, 50, from Camps Bay, who went overboard during a big swell at around 4 or 5am this morning Indonesian time between Padang, Sumatra and Sipora Island.

Surfers such as JM Tostee, who was onboard the boat Naga Laut with Brett, have said that a desparate search has been going on the whole day for Brett and it won't stop until he's been found. There was hope that Brett had made it to land or possibly been picked up by a local fishing boat.

"Brett is a good swimmer, he's 50 years old and has been surfing for 40 years + so if anyone can make it through this he can. Please would you try and get the message out for us to all the operators in the area, we would appreciate all the help we can get," said his friend Wayne Grieveson.

The surf boat community has bandied together and boats, as well as the coast guard has been searching for him. This message went out to boats in the area:

"Hey fleet and camps. Naga Laut lost passenger around 4am this morning last known co-ordinates 99 degrees 55' east and 1 degree 50' south. According to Tony / Doris on Barrenjoey, there is a lot of debris out there, such as large logs. Weather conditions horrible. We need to have every boat out there at first light. We need to form some sort of grid. We will be on Indies Trader 3, Indies Trader 4 will be there, so too Barrenjoey, along with Kuda Laut. We need more. Please factor in current and stong west to nor west winds. Please communicate on VHF 16, and HF 8.179.0 mhz. Come on surf community, we have to try! Its warm water, he is a surfer, imagine if it was one of you. Team work time."

JM Tostee, writing on Facebook, made the following comment:

He was very seasick last night during the huge storm while we were sailing to the islands tbrough the night and we think he must have fallen overboard when getting sick on deck while all of us were sleeping.

"Brett Archibald bunked with me as cabin mate on our current surf trip to the Mentawaii islands off Sumatra Indonesia. He was very seasick last night during the huge storm while we were sailing to the islands tbrough the night and we think he must have fallen overboard when getting sick on deck while all of us were sleeping. I only discovered it hours later when we woke up this morning at the surf spot and worked out that he wasnt in bis bunk nor on the top deck. The coast guard boats and planes have searched the ocean all day and so have we but found nothing yet. Its dark now and we have to stop and start again tomorrow.

"I'm shattered ... we all are. We wont stop searching. We are being Inundated with messages but signal is very limited here so please rather not try contact us. I will post to facebook to try relay as much information as I can to as many people as possible. I believe that Archie is strong enough mentally and pbysically to survive the night in the sea if he hasnt already been picked up a local fisherman in a small boat or something similar. Please say a Prayer for Brett for strength...and for all of us. If he can keep going we WILL find him. Plse forward this message to let others know to watch for facebook posts when i can make them as we cant communicate with everyone Individually. Thank you. JM Tostee”

Veteran Indo skipper and surf charter owners Gideon and Chantal Malherbe from All Aboard Travel, as well as Craig Jarvis and Lorrin Jarvis, have been working behind the scenes to co-ordinate parties in the rescue. Here's their quote:

"It takes about 10-14 hours depending on the sea state to cross the 90 mile straight between Padang and the Mentawais (Sipora island). The Naga Laut left Padang port yesterday evening at around 6pm. The 10 charter passengers and 7 crew had dinner and eventually the passengers retired to their cabins to sleep. This was the group's 7th trip. Brett Archibald was last seen at around 4.30 am by one of the other passengers. When the passengers came up to the galley for breakfast at around 8am they realised that Brett was no longer on board. The Naga Laut immediately turned around to retrace their steps.
 
"The Indonesian Federal Search and Rescue Basarmas are coordinating search and rescue with local Indonesian authorities and coast guard.
 
"Many of the other private surf charter boats who are in the area have joined the search lead by the very competent Barenjoey (John McGroder) and the 3 Trader boats (Martin Daly). The current is running west which means Brett could possibly be near Sipora Island already. There is a lot of debris in the water (tree trunks etc) so he could have flotation. The sun came up shortly after he fell over board. He is strong and fit
 
"The charter boats will stay out at sea tonight floating with bright lights on in the area that they have calculated Brett to be according to the current and winds.
 
"We have alerted RNLI and MRCC and the SA embassy to use any contacts to ensure the search continues by air and sea.
 
"Our prayers are with Brett, Anita and their kiddies.
 
"We are our in our 12th hour of this search and rescue mission. We want to bring this man home!"