Australian Sailor Feared Lost at Sea in Mozambique Channel
An Australian woman is feared dead after going missing in the Mozambique Channel off the coast of Africa. Deirdre Sibly, a long-time sailor from Port Lincoln, South Australia, was reported missing while sailing with French national Pascal Fontaine. Authorities are currently providing consular assistance to her family.
Sibly and Fontaine were en route to cape Town, South Africa, when they disappeared. Her sister, Sue good, stated that if weather conditions permitted, they planned to continue to Cape Town before Ms. Sibly flew home. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the family, stating, “Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.” DFAT cited privacy obligations and declined to provide further comment.
Ms. Good described her sister as an adventurous individual with four decades of sailing experience. “She would have been sailing for about 40 years,” she saeid. ”She was just a lovely, friendly, kind-hearted person. She lived life to the fullest.” Ms. Good added that her sister and Fontaine had been sailing together since early June and were ”so happy.”
