WASHED UP BOAT TRAVELLED 3700 NAUTICAL MILES
This Western Australian boat (below) was found washed up on remote Mayotte Island, between Madagascar and Africa, after drifting at sea for eight months and 3700nm.
Stephen Knight from Perth lost the boat "An Extreme Crowd" in May last year after it overturned at anchor off Serrurier Island, northeast of Exmouth.
Knight had made the 37nm trip to the island with a friend aboard the 8m LeisureCat Sportsfisher. After a day’s fishing, the weather abruptly turned sour when an unexpected southerly change ahead of a storm whipped the sea into a frenzy. They moved the boat to less stormy waters before retreating to land, but it dragged its anchor, capsized and was given up as lost. It was found on January 2 after crossing the Indian Ocean. Australian authorities were able to be notified thanks to a still-legible Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group sticker on the hull.