DPR 3/97 Monday, Janury 6, 1997

MEDIA UPDATE AS AT 11PM AEDT - YACHT SEARCH AND RESCUE

French yachtsman Thierry Dubois of the yacht Amnesty International is safe after climbing into a life raft dropped by a RAAF PC-3 Orion aircraft at about 9 pm AEDT.

The same aircraft - the second to be sent to the area - also located the other stricken yacht, Globe Exide Challenger, about 60 nautical miles west of the Amnesty International. It is afloat, but listing. There is no sign of its skipper English yachtsman Tony Bullimore, 56. However, hopes remain high that he will be found.

Dubois, 29, had climbed into on e of the two life raft systems dropped by the first Orion on the scene, but it had swamped in the incredibly rough weather. The second Orion dropped another life raft and he managed to climb in. He was seen to be well and preparing to bed himself down for the night. The raft is equipped with a beacon, food, water and other provisions.

The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Adelaide is enroute from Perth to the scene and is expected to arrive in three days time.

A third Orion aircraft will launch from Perth to be over the search area at first light (9.30 am AEDT) tomorrow morning.

Further Information

Colonel Andrew Reynolds (06) 265 3313