Aussie saved off Patong after three weeks adrift

PATONG: An Australian sailor who had been adrift for more than three weeks was rescued by Phuket Marine Police on Saturday.

Rocky Bonow, 52, left the Cocos Islands on October 17 on his 13.2-meter boat Moonstar, bound for Phuket.

As he was rounding Sumatra, the boat’s engine stopped, leaving Bonow adrift with limited supplies.

Pol Lt Col Prathueng Srilamontree of Phuket Marine Police told the Gazette that he received a report from fishermen about 4 pm informing him that they had received contact from Moonstar, about seven kilometers west of the Amari Coral Beach Resort, and that the man on board needed help.

“It took about two hours to find him and another three hours to tow the boat from Patong Bay to Chalong Pier,” Lt Col Prathueng said.

“He looked a bit tired, but he was still strong and did not ask for any help after arriving at the pier. He told me that he was nearly out of food and that he collected rainwater to survive. He continually tried to contact help by walkie-talkie but the signal was too weak.

“I think he will have to stay in Phuket a while to fix the boat,” Lt Col Prathueng added.