David Simpson, 64, an experienced sailor, who fell from his boat off the Sunshine coast in Australia, was found alive clinging to a beacon buoy.
Simpson fell into the sea after a strong wave hit his boat, and he swam a couple of kilometers until he reached a raft lighthouse, from where he tried to attract the attention of any boat that might pass.
A naked boatie, his dog, and their runaway yacht…this is a survival story like no other!
Going overboard and missing for hours, the man was eventually plucked from a marine beacon, after his yacht washed ashore. @sarahcawte #9News pic.twitter.com/XZUhzUzTCx
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 30, 2020
The emergency services began the search after finding his ship stranded near a beach, with the engine running, his dog on board and his phone also inside. Finally Simpson was rescued by a helicopter and is in good health.