Eight Years Later, This Teen’s Abandoned Boat Was Discovered

Abby Sunderland was an extraordinary young woman. At the age of 16, she set off on a daring journey to sail around the world, an adventure filled with both beauty and disaster.

At the age of sixteen, Abby Sunderland was determined to do something no one her age had ever achieved – circumnavigate the world alone. The incredible journey was inspired by her brother Zac, who had become the first person under 18 to sail around the world the year before. 

Before Abby could bring her lifelong dream to fruition, her father Laurence Sunderland knew he had to give her the toughest training. He wanted to make sure his 16-year-old daughter was fully prepared for the challenge that lay ahead of her. 

Abby was determined to make her parents proud by taking a journey of a lifetime. Her mother Marianne Sunderland voiced her concerns, “Could there be a tragedy? Yeah, there could be. But, there could be a tragedy on the way home tonight, you know, or driving with her friends in the car.”

Spanning 40 feet in length, Wild Eyes is a sloop designed and built by Jutson Yacht in 2001. Initially named BTC Velocity, the vessel was used in the Around Alone 2002 race, where it rose to finish second in Class 3. After being bought by the Sunderland family in 2009, the boat was refitted with newer electrical, communication, and navigation systems. 

Abby was determined to take on the audacious challenge of circumnavigating the world, all solo and unassisted. The route she mapped out was a 10-leg journey that started in Marina del Rey, CA, and headed south to Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and back to Marina del Rey. 

Amidst the looming fear of pirates and the unpredictability of the weather, courageous Abby faced her fears and embarked on a journey of a lifetime. On January 23, 2010, Abby boarded her ship Wild Eyes and set sail from Marina del Rey, California. 

Abby knew she was in for a serious challenge when she set sail alone from Marina del Rey. Despite her previous experiences on the open ocean, she was now facing a new set of problems. 

When Abby decided to take on the challenge of rounding the Horn, Sail-World warned her of the autumnal weather she would likely encounter. Despite the risks, Abby felt that she had gone too far to back out now. 

In her daring journey, Abby was met with strong winds that ripped through one of her sails and water flooding the engine. Even with her best efforts, Wild Eyes encountered serious damage. Abby was eventually forced to give up. 

On the 10th of June 2010, Abby set sail into the unknown and her journey took her to a remote area of the Indian Ocean, around 2,000 miles west of Australia. The strong winds and the powerful waves caused her boat to be knocked down multiple times and she soon lost satellite phone contact. 

When Abby’s boat was hit by a rogue wave, sending it off course, her family was worried. Fortunately, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority stepped in. They sent a chartered passenger jet on a 4,700-mile round trip from Perth, with 11 trained SES air observers and a FESA officer on board. 

On June 12, 2010, Abby was at risk of losing her life at sea. But, thanks to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Rescue Coordination Centre, three ships were sent to save her. 

After a long and tough 13-hour battle, rescue teams finally reached Abby, who had been stranded at sea in her boat Wild Eyes. Her parents had written to her followers, expressing their hope that she would manage to survive until help arrived, as she had a dry suit, survival suit, life raft, and ditch bags with emergency supplies. 

At 16, Abby Sunderland made an attempt to be the youngest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe. Unfortunately, her mission didn’t go as planned and she was left stranded at sea. Luckily, she was rescued but the French and Australian taxpayers had to foot the bill, which is assumed to be around $300,000 in Australian currency. 

Abby had never expected this – her brother Zac, waiting on the island of Réunion to congratulate her on her bravery! Not only was his surprise visit an incredible show of support, but he had also brought her much-needed supplies such as fresh clothes and a hairbrush. 

Abby’s parents Laurence and Marianne were overwhelmed with relief when they heard that their daughter had survived her treacherous sea voyage. Although they were sorry that she had to abandon her dreams, they were grateful that she wasn’t seriously injured. 

A decade ago, the Sunderland family was shocked to hear that their daughter Abby had gone missing during her solo circumnavigation of the globe. Much to their surprise, 8 years later they would be contacted by authorities with news that a tuna-spotting plane had seen a yellow yacht flipped upside down off the coast of Kangaroo Island, Australia. 

The Sunderland family caught the world’s attention when Abby embarked on her solo sailing journey and miraculously survived her ordeal. After her rescue, it was reported that her father had signed a deal with Magnetic Entertainment for a television show about his family. 

Abby Sunderland didn’t give up on her dream of sailing solo around the world even after her reality show fell through. Her courage and determination were documented in the documentary film Wild Eyes: The Abby Sunderland Story, released on September 8, 2011. 

Abby’s journey was truly remarkable; she managed to travel 12,000 miles before being rescued, an incredible feat. Thankfully, her emergency beacon worked and she was saved from the same fate as the two women aboard the Sea Nymph.